Too Much Damage To Continue.
Sadly, Yokozuna Kisenosato has announced that he is withdrawing from the Nagoya basho, effective on day 6. This means that his opponent Kotoshogiku picks up his second win of the tournament. Kisenosato is still nursing his left pectoral tear (and subsequent complications), and an now add to that damage to his left ankle, courtesy of a flying toss from the dohyo supplied by his day 5 opponent, Ikioi.
Tachiai thinks that it would be best for Kisenosato to concede that he is in rough and declining physical condition, and just sign up for a multi month surgical and recuperation cycle. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Looks like a bunch of guys will get thrown into the meat grinder now. For example, Hakuho has ten remaining bouts. One is Hokutofuji tomorrow, then probably Ikioi Saturday. In the last week, if no one else drops out, he’ll have the two sekiwake, the two remaining Ozeki, and Harumafuji. That leaves 3 slots to fill. Ura should be one of them, and then it’s up to the schedulers, based on both rank and record (it wouldn’t surprise me to see Tochiozan and even Aoiyama pulled up to fight some joi).
Oh no! I was worried about him from the start. Hope he can get healed up soon.
Hope he undergoes surgery and recovers well. Mad respect for his fighting spirit!