Sanspo is reporting Terunofuji will not participate in Hatsu basho, after all. He’s not yet listed on the Sumo.or.jp list of absent rikishi but we’ll keep our eyes peeled. The former ozeki is currently ranked in sandanme but wants to be 100% when he comes back.
Can we assume that, if any makuuchi rikishi were already planning to go Kyujo, this would have been announced before the day 1 Torikumi was posted?
Yes, that’s how it works. Unless you have a sudden injury or flu that you contracted after torikumi day, you are supposed to hand in your medical certificate beforehand.
Since the hadn’t released the lower divisions’ torikumi, this may have given him extra time?
Yeah, I believe so.
Damn it, I had a feeling this would happen. First there was that report from his early keiko, where he was complaining of pain during his basic exercises. Then there was his absence from the Isegahama social functions (e.g. mochi-tsuki). I wonder if is not deluding himself about the possibility to be “ban-zen” (“in perfect condition”).
At the moment (17.25 UST) there are NO wrestlers listed a kyujo on the official site. Either a miraculous pulse of healing energy has zapped the sport or they just haven’t got around to posting the info. Just thinking that if Kisenosato’s injury had happened before his promotion to yokozuna he would be in a similar slot to Terunofuji.
That’s a great point but I’m sure he would have retired long ago as a great ozeki.