Injured during March's Spring Basho in Osaka, sekiwake Wakatakakage needs a minimum of six months to rest and recuperate from surgery, his stablemaster said.
Mongolian grappler Kiribayama posted back-to-back victories on the final day of the Spring Basho to deny Daieisho his second championship.
Rank-and-filer Midorifuji held his own against Bulgarian Aoiyama and has a one-win lead at the midway point of the 15-day tournament.
Sumo's Flying Monkey posted his third consecutive win over ozeki Takakeisho in the day's final bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium.
Ozeki grappler Takakeisho will need to capture the March tournament title to convince sumo officials he's worthy of promotion to the sport's highest rank.
The Fukushima native becomes the first new sekiwake in 86 years to claim the championship.
New ozeki Mitakeumi keeps pace along with sekiwake Wakatakakage and rank-and-filer Kotonowaka.
~~ Three newly promoted wrestlers will be in the spotlight as they seek to challenge lone yokozuna Terunofuji for the title at the Spring Grand Sumo...
