Embattled grand champion Kisenosato said Thursday he will withdraw from the ongoing 15-day grand sumo tournament a day after suffering his fourth consecutive defeat at the Kyushu meet.

Kisenosato, the first Japan-born wrestler in 19 years to gain promotion to sumo's highest rank, had pulled out of all or part of eight straight meets, the most for a yokozuna, due to a lingering injury, before finishing with a 10-5 record at the September tourney.

The 32-year-old wrestler has only completed one full tournament since being promoted to the 72nd grand champion in sumo history in January 2017.

The current Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament began last Sunday in Fukuoka.


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