Overview
- The Sumo Association confirmed on Friday that Hoshoryu will be absent from the Autumn (Aki) tournament from the opening day after he was not entered for the first two days in the tournament scheduling meeting.
- Hoshoryu had surgery on his right knee after withdrawing from the July Nagoya tournament and his training schedule has been significantly delayed, the wrestler and his stable reported.
- This marks Hoshoryu's third straight tournament absence and his fifth absence in ten tournaments since his promotion to yokozuna in spring 2025, and it is the first time he has missed a basho from day one.
- With Hoshoryu out, the Aki basho proceeds with only one active yokozuna, raising immediate competition implications for the field and public focus on top-rank performance.
- Beyond the medical issue, the stretch without a championship since his elevation has increased pressure from the Yokozuna Deliberation Council and fans over Hoshoryu's long-term standing.