Ozeki Hoshoryu pulled out of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday as a knee injury prematurely ended his chase for a second championship.
The 24-year-old from Mongolia had posted a 10-3 record through Friday at the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan and was scheduled to face yokozuna Terunofuji, one of the three wrestlers leading the title race at 11-2, on Saturday.
Terunofuji will win Saturday's bout by default and improve to 12-2, with the two other joint leaders, ozeki Kirishima and sekiwake Kotonowaka, set to face off.
Hoshoryu suffered his third defeat of the meet Friday against Kirishima, who won with an ankle-kicking twist down.
"His right knee went inward when he received the kick," Hoshoryu's stablemaster Tatsunami said. "He couldn't land on his foot in the morning."
"He said he wanted to take part on the final day, but wrestling while not being able to generate his power is bad for both the opponent and spectators."
Related coverage:
Sumo: Terunofuji beats Kotonowaka, creating 3-way tie for lead
Sumo: Kotonowaka inches toward first championship with 11th win
Sumo: Joint leader Asanoyama withdraws from New Year meet
