Yokozuna Hakuho kept his record perfect on the sixth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Friday. Only two wrestlers -- Hakuho and No. 6 maegashira Onosho -- remain undefeated in the makuuchi division.
Hakuho forced No. 3 maegashira Shodai out of the ring with dignity in the final match of the day. Onosho also pushed out No.4 maegashira Okinoumi (3-3) to keep his spotless record.
As fellow yokozuna Kakuryu, who put in a poor performance (2-3) up to Day 5, informed the Japan Sumo Association on Friday that he would withdraw from the tournament, and with the retirement of yokozuna Kisenosato on Thursday, Hakuho is the only yokozuna remaining in the tournament.
Komusubi Mitakeumi suffered his first loss in a bout with komusubi Myogiryu (2-4). Mitakeumi seemed to have injured his left knee and the injury will be examined at a hospital.
Concerning Kakuryu, the right ankle sprain that caused Kakuryu, 33, to withdraw from all matches in the Kyushu tournament in November last year has yet to fully recover, according to his stablemaster Izutsu, former sekiwake Sakahoko.
"[Kakuryu] told me on Thursday night that he had pain. If he gets back in the ring, due to the pain he would not be able to endure the opponent's attack," Izutsu said. "At a time when wrestlers in higher ranks are performing poorly, he will also withdraw from the current tournament. I'm sorry to the audience and the sumo association for his withdrawal."
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