A tournament that lost both yokozuna before it even started is now down to one ozeki.
Newly promoted ozeki Shodai's hopes of winning a second straight title in his debut at the sport's second-highest rank ended when he pulled out of the November Grand Sumo Tournament on Thursday.
Shodai submitted his notice of withdrawal to the Japan Sumo Association, citing a left ankle injury suffered on Tuesday, the third day of the 15-day tournament being held at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Hampered by the injury, the 29-year-old Shodai was helplessly dealt his first loss of the tournament Wednesday, leading him to join fellow ozeki Asanoyama on the sidelines. Asanoyama withdrew on the third day.
Shodai was diagnosed with ligament damage in his left ankle requiring three weeks of treatment. According to stablemaster Edagawa, Shodai said, "More than the pain in my leg, I am afraid to getting in close battle. I will focus on treatment."
Prior to the tournament, the yokozuna pair of Hakuho and Kakuryu pulled out, and Asanoyama followed soon after it started.
With the addition of Shodai -- who pulled out of a tournament for the first time in his career -- it leaves ozeki Takakeisho as the lone wrestler remaining from the top two ranks.
Should Shodai be unable to return to the tournament, he will compete in the next tournament with kadoban status, meaning he will need a winning record to keep his newly acquired rank.
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