Yokozuna Hakuho submitted a notice to the Japan Sumo Association on Friday that he would not participate in the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament set to begin on Sunday due to an injury to his left big toe.
In addition to Kisenosato, who had decided to skip the spring tourney the previous day, two out of the three yokozuna grand champions will not participate in the upcoming basho, leaving Kakuryu as sole yokozuna to stand on the dohyo ring in Osaka on Sunday.
With the spring tournament, Hakuho will become the longest-reigning yokozuna in history, holding the rank for 64 tournaments, surpassing the figure held by the late yokozuna Kitanoumi of 63 tournaments.
The 32-year old yokozuna pulled out on the fifth day of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in January, after suffering the big toe injury in his fourth-day match. The condition of the injury has since worsened further.
"He can barely do shiko stamping," stablemaster Miyagino told reporters on Friday. "It's very disappointing because he had been working out fine [until the injury worsened]."
Meanwhile, Takanoiwa, who was dropped to the secondary juryo division after being assaulted by then yokozuna Harumafuji, will return to the dohyo for the first time in three basho.
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