Yokozuna Terunofuji Withdraws from New Year Grand Sumo Tournament

The only active yokozuna, Terunofuji, has officially withdrawn from the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament following a difficult start marked by injury and an unexpected loss.

The 33-year-old grand champion, originally from Mongolia, faced challenges from the very beginning of the tournament, which is currently taking place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo. His stablemaster reported that Terunofuji had sustained injuries to his right knee and lower back while training for this prestigious 15-day event.

His decision to pull out came shortly after suffering a surprising defeat against the lower-ranked wrestler Tobizaru. Terunofuji was unable to compete in his scheduled Day 5 match against Gonoyama, resulting in a disappointing 2-3 record for this tournament.

Despite his recent struggles, Terunofuji had a somewhat successful year in 2024, managing to win both tournaments he participated in, even as he dealt with ongoing health issues, including chronic knee pain and diabetes. Over his career, he has missed a significant number of competitions, with this latest withdrawal marking his absence from all or part of 24 meets, including 13 of his 21 tournaments as a yokozuna.

While discussions about his potential retirement may intensify following this latest setback, his stablemaster emphasized that Terunofuji is currently focused solely on his health and is not contemplating any future events beyond the current tournament.

This withdrawal not only affects the tournament dynamics but also raises questions about the future of sumo wrestling's current top echelon. Fans and analysts alike are keenly observing the situation, hoping for a swift recovery for the grand champion.