Hakuho, winner of the Kyushu basho in November and one of two grand champions on the banzuke for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, withdrew from the first meet of the year on Wednesday.The 34-year-old began his quest for a record-extending 44th career championship on Sunday with a win, but conceded two kinboshi, or an upset of a yokozuna by a rank-and-filer, in his next two bouts for a 1-2 record.According to his stablemaster Miyagino, Hakuho came down with a fever Tuesday evening caused by a bacterial skin infection on his right foot. He also has inflammation in the lower back after land…READ FULL ARTICLE
