Tachiai is reluctant to report that Shin-Ozeki Takakeisho has pulled out of the Natsu Basho after suffering a medial collateral ligament injury in his right knee during his Day 4 match with Mitakeumi. Immediately after winning his match, Takakeisho bent down into a squat before limping back to his side of the dohyo and down the hanamichi. Following his match, Takakeisho maintained that the knee didn’t cause him any pain, despite the obviously laboured walking, and that he would see a doctor before making a decision on competing further. After a visit to the doctor and consulting with his Oyakata, Takakeisho pulled out of competition. In regards to his deshi’s injury, Chiganoura Oyakata stated that he would not let Takakeisho force himself to compete and that the Shin-Ozeki should take the necessary time to heal.

In addition to spoiling his first basho as Ozeki, this injury also means that Takakeisho will enter the Nagoya basho as a kadoban Ozeki. That being said, we at Tachiai are glad that both Takakiehso and his Oyakata are committed to letting him get the rest and recovery he needs to return and defend his Ozeki rank come July, and we will be cheering him on every step of the way.

Update: Takakeisho has been prescribed three weeks of treatment for his injured knee.