Yokozuna Onosato and Ozeki Aonishiki Withdraw from Summer Grand Sumo Tournament
Yokozuna Onosato and Ukrainian-born ozeki Aonishiki have officially withdrawn from the upcoming Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. The announcement was confirmed after neither wrestler appeared on the bout list for the first two days of the 15-day meet. Onosato, who has struggled with left shoulder rotator cuff damage since November, is expected to miss an entire tournament for the first time since his 2023 debut. His stablemaster, former yokozuna Kisenosato, cited persistent pain and lack of physical improvement as key factors. Consequently, Hoshoryu will remain the sole yokozuna competing in the tournament. Meanwhile, Aonishiki suffered a left ankle injury during training, exacerbating his precarious position as a demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki. After posting a losing record in the previous Spring meet, Aonishiki must achieve eight or more wins to retain his rank; his withdrawal means he will drop to sekiwake. His stablemaster noted that the injury affects both his physical mobility and mental state. The Summer meet is scheduled to begin on Sunday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, marking a significant shift in the top division's competitive landscape due to these high-profile absences.
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Yokozuna Onosato and Ozeki Aonishiki Withdraw from Summer Grand Sumo Tournament
Yokozuna Onosato and Ukrainian-born ozeki Aonishiki have officially withdrawn from the upcoming Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo. The announcement was confirmed after neither wrestler appeared on the bout list for the first two days of the 15-day meet. Onosato, who has struggled with left shoulder rotator cuff damage since November, is expected to miss an entire tournament for the first time since his 2023 debut. His stablemaster, former yokozuna Kisenosato, cited persistent pain and lack of physical improvement as key factors. Consequently, Hoshoryu will remain the sole yokozuna competing in the tournament. Meanwhile, Aonishiki suffered a left ankle injury during training, exacerbating his precarious position as a demotion-threatened kadoban ozeki. After posting a losing record in the previous Spring meet, Aonishiki must achieve eight or more wins to retain his rank; his withdrawal means he will drop to sekiwake. His stablemaster noted that the injury affects both his physical mobility and mental state. The Summer meet is scheduled to begin on Sunday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, marking a significant shift in the top division's competitive landscape due to these high-profile absences.
The Mainichi