MITO, Japan - The chance of yokozuna Hoshoryu taking part in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in September is in doubt after he underwent right knee surgery in late July, his stablemaster said Thursday.
Hoshoryu is yet to win an Emperor's Cup in nine meets since earning promotion to yokozuna ahead of the Spring meet in March last year. The Mongolian-born grand champion has pulled out during a tournament four times in that period, including the last two.
"He partially ruptured his medial collateral ligament. He hasn't even done leg stomping," said his stablemaster Tatsunami, former komusubi Asahiyutaka. "I can't let him participate when he's not fully fit."
The 27-year-old Hoshoryu, the nephew of former Mongolian great and 25-time champion Asashoryu, won two top-tier makuuchi-division titles prior to his promotion to yokozuna.
"There'd be calls for retirement should he enter a tournament without being in perfect condition," Tatsunami said. "I'm telling him things will get tough if you don't win the championship or achieve something similar next time you take part."
Hoshoryu has been absent from the Japan Sumo Association's regional tour since its start on Aug. 2, but has been seen at Tatsunami stable's training facility.
Fellow yokozuna Onosato had a productive day during the association's regional tour in Mito, going 10-1 in 11 straight bouts against maegashira Gonoyama and Fujiryoga with his stablemaster Nishonoseki, former yokozuna Kisenosato, watching on.
After missing most of a meet in March and the whole of the Summer meet in May due to left shoulder pain, Onosato went 9-6 on his return in July at the Nagoya meet.
"I practiced in front of my stablemaster for the first time in a while. The performance wasn't bad," said the 26-year-old Onosato, a five-time champion.
The Autumn meet will be held at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan between Sept. 13 and 27.
