Yokozuna Terunofuji Pulls Out With Injury; Rank-And-Filer Takayasu in Sole Lead

Lone grand champion Terunofuji pulled out of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament due to injury on Friday, March 18 while rank-and-filer Takayasu maintained his one-win lead on Day 6 of the 15-day basho.

Mongolian Terunofuji, who was handed his second loss on Thursday, announced that he was pulling out due to a sore left knee and right heel.

A pre-tournament favorite to claim the Emperor’s Cup, Terunofuji’s sudden withdrawal throws the tournament wide open.

The yokozuna forfeited his bout on Friday to No. 3 maegashira Onosho, a result that gave both wrestlers a 3-3 record.

Japan national broadcaster NHK reported that doctors told Terunofuji he will need about one month to recover. That would mean he could be available to compete in the next tournament in May.

Still, it is a huge setback for a wrestler who won his first two tournaments since being promoted to sumo’s highest rank before missing out on a third straight championship at the New Year meet in January.

Meanwhile, seventh-ranked maegashira Takayasu remained in the sole lead when he used a right-hand underarm attack to drive No. 10 Shimanoumi (2-4) out in a matter of seconds and improve to a perfect 6-0.

Takayasu, whose highest previous rank was ozeki, is fighting with confidence after being forced to sit out the previous tournament when a member of his Tagonoura stable tested positive for COVID-19.

In the day’s final bout at Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium, new ozeki Mitakeumi used a series of powerful arm thrusts to send third-ranked Meisei (1-5) out while improving to 5-1.

Mitakeumi won the New Year meet and is aiming to win his first tournament at the rank of ozeki. Terunofuji’s departure makes that goal a little easier but there is a long way to go just yet and several other wrestlers, including Takayasu, still stand in his way.

Mitakeumi, Wakatakakage and Kotonowaka are all one win off the pace heading into the second week.

Elsewhere, it was a mixed bag for the other two ozeki wrestlers.

Demotion-threatened Takakeisho used a series of powerful arm thrusts to overpower fourth-ranked maegashira Kiribayama (4-2) and improve to 4-2.

After losing two bouts at the start of the tournament, Takakeisho seems to have found his rhythm and looks well on his way to securing the winning record he needs to maintain his ozeki rank for the next tournament in May.

The same can’t be said for struggling ozeki Shodai.

While he won his first bout on Day 5, Shodai was defeated by veteran Tamawashi, who overpowered his opponent with a powerful arm thrust to the neck.

No. 2 maegashira Tamawashi, who defeated Terunofuji the previous day, improved to 3-3 while Shodai dropped to 1-5 and is in danger of being unable to post the winning record needed to stay at sumo’s second-highest rank for the next tournament.

Tamawashi was elated with back-to-back defeats of higher-ranked wrestlers.

“I’ve been able to fight my brand of sumo,” Tamawashi said. “I’m full of happiness to see the fans back and that is allowing me to have fun."

In the day’s biggest upset, Mongolian Hoshoryu showed excellent perseverance when he was shoved back to the edge by Abi but turned the tables and forced out the newly promoted sekiwake.

Komusubi Hoshoryu, the nephew of former yokozuna Asashoryu, moved to 3-3 while Abi dropped to 4-2.

New sekiwake Wakatakakage was pushed back to the brink of defeat by Takanosho but dodged to his right at the edge and swatted the komusubi down to move to a 5-1 record.

Takanosho went on the attack with an arm thrust to the neck immediately after the face-off but couldn’t capitalize on the momentum and dropped to 1-5.

No. 6 maegashira Kotonowaka kept pace with a superb right-handed overarm throw to dispatch eighth-ranked Chiyoshoma (2-4) and improve to 5-1. 

Wakamotoharu, a ninth-ranked maegashira, got a two-handed grip on the belt of struggling Okinoumi and lifted the seventh-ranked maegashira out to improve to 4-2. Okinoumi fell to an unflattering 1-5.

Mongolian giant and No. 2 maegashira Ichinojo swatted down local favorite Ura to earn his fourth win against two losses. It won’t get any easier for top maegashira and Osaka native Ura, who dropped to 1-5 and faces Abi on Saturday.

Follow Jim’s daily reports on the sumo Spring Basho here.


Author: Jim Armstrong