Yokozuna Hakuho withdrew from the July Grand Sumo Tournament on Friday, a day after suffering a knee injury while being dealt his second loss of the competition at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The 35-year-old Hakuho submitted his withdrawal notice to the Japan Sumo Association, citing damage to the meniscus in his right knee incurred when he lost to sekiwake Mitakeumi on the 12th day of the 15-day tournament. He is expected to need two weeks of treatment.
"I will find the treatment for this new injury that best fits my body to get back into the ring as soon as possible," Hakuho said.
In Thursday's match, Hakuho had Mitakeumi backed up to the edge when the sekiwake suddenly twisted, sending an extended Hakuho sailing to the dirt. As he landed, his lower right leg slammed hard against the straw bale at the edge.
Having been knocked off the dohyo, he noticeably limped as he walked around it back to his side.
Hakuho, the all-time leader in career titles, had started the tournament with 10 straight wins before being handed two straight losses. His withdrawal leaves the July tourney with no yokozuna entering the final three days, as Kakuryu pulled out on the second day.
Hakuho turned 35 in March, when he won the Spring Grand Tournament for his record 44th career title. He was looking to extend that mark in July tourney, the first in four months after the cancellation of the May event.
It was the first time for the aging superstar to pull out during a tournament since the New Year tourney in January due to a back sprain.
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