Hakuho apologized Thursday on behalf of fellow grand champion Harumafuji for causing trouble with his reported assault of a lower-ranked wrestler, promising to make amends by doing what he does best.

"I was present at the scene and therefore I owe a deep apology to the sumo world and to the public. All I can do is put on a good performance in the ring and work hard," Hakuho told reporters after his morning training session.

Hakuho, one of only two top-ranked yokozuna competing in the ongoing Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, is undefeated after four bouts as he seeks to brush aside the nationwide media frenzy and win an unprecedented 40th overall title.

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The 32-year-old was among the group of Mongolians that took part in the party late last month where Harumafuji allegedly assaulted and injured wrestler Takanoiwa.

The incident occurred during the autumn regional tour in Tottori, and police said Wednesday they launched a probe into the case after receiving a damage report from the victim, who was hospitalized for five days.

But Hakuho was bothered by what he said was inaccurate reporting, disputing coverage saying Harumafuji attacked Takanoiwa with a beer bottle and continued to rain blows down on the bleeding wrestler.

"He (Harumafuji) didn't hit with a beer bottle as reported. It is not true that he sat astride (Takanoiwa)," he explained.

Though other unnamed sources who were at the party said otherwise, Hakuho insisted Harumafuji was holding a beer bottle but it slipped out of his hands.

"I broke up (the fight) and took (Harumafuji) out of the room."

It remains to be seen whether the scandal will keep die-hard sumo fans from filling the seats at the Kyushu meet where seven top-tier makuuchi division wrestlers pulled out, citing injury.

The sixth and last professional sumo basho of the year is almost guaranteed to sell out, which would make it the first time in 21 years all 90 match days during the calendar year have been a full house.