Dai-Yokozuna Hakuho underwent knee surgery in an attempt to repair damage to his right knee on Friday. This is the same injury that sidelined him from the March tournament, and has the entire sumo world wondering if he will be forced to retire before the May tournament in Tokyo.
In an article published by NHK, it is reported that Hakuho underwent orthoscopic knee surgery on his right kneed, and that his doctors have told him that it will require at least two months for rehabilitation an healing. His right knee has been a source of concern since last year, and prior to the March basho it was revealed that he was having fluid drained from the knee daily in order to maintain his training schedule.
It is reported that Hakuho has already been discharged from the hospital in Tokyo, and is now recovering at home. In the article, the doctor suggestions that Hakuho undergo knee replacement surgery at some time in the future to maintain mobility and use of his right leg.
Yes, that’s kind of dire folks. We also know that the YDC will be meeting following the Haru basho, and I would not be surprised if they grumpy old men of sumo did not recommend that both Yokozuna retire. At a minimum we won’t see Hakuho until July, and that is not at all certain.
At this point, I doubt he cares about the YDC. Rest well, and we hope to see you in July!
It wouldn’t be fair to treat Hakuho the same as Kakuryu. Kakuryu has just a single bout (loss) since March of last year. Hakuho had 10 wins in July. Would they want to be seen as treating Hakuho more harshly?
It might be moot, of course, depending on how long it takes him to rehab, and train up to the level the YDC would be looking for.
Surely they would not push him out just before the Olympics? I think they should wait just two months, the Kaiju wins this one and the next, then they will have a new yokozuna to play with and they can let the GOAT retire on his terms. ;-)
I will say that as a person who is fully enveloped in Western culture and mind site, I cannot assume to know how the Japanese in general, or the grumpy old men of the YDC in specific will view this. So I am expecting them to shred both Yokozuna in a week or so. If for no other reason to demonstrate that they have the power to do so.
Yes, unfortunately, it does make sense..
Pretty sure they will ask Kakuryu to retire. He has completed one tournament since his last Yusho in Nagoya 2019. Hakuho had 2 more yusho and another 10win tournament in that period, although he went kyujo in that last one. I dont think the NSK wants to go to Olympia without a Yokozuna,
Watching this tournament it seems pretty clear that there won’t be a new yokozuna by July. I know technically Asanoyama and Terunofuji are still in the Yusho race, but neither of them looks ready to win out. Both still face each other as well as Shodai and Takakeisho.
I might be wrong, but I also think that you won’t publically ask a Dai Yokozuna to retire, no matter if he is japanese born or not.
Isn’t July going to be Hakuho’s last basho, knee or not, Olympics or not, because of the 1 year wait before a new elder can take over a stable? Miyagino Oyakata retires in 17 months.
https://tachiai.org/2021/03/16/hakuho-kyujo-2/#comment-27485
Maybe you’ll see it this time…
I’m increasingly concerned about his ability to just function in regular non-sumo life with that knee…