Photo/Illutration Yokozuna Hakuho pulls out of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo after the third day. (Takuya Tanabe)

Yokozuna Hakuho, fresh off his 43rd Emperor's Cup in November, pulled out of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament on Jan. 15 after losing two consecutive bouts to rank-and-file wrestlers.

The 34-year-old grand champion submitted his formal withdrawal notice on Day 4 of the tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo’s Sumida Ward.

Hakuho lost to maegashira No. 1 Endo on Day 2 and maegashira No. 1 Myogiryu on Day 3 after winning his first bout on Day 1.

The dominant yokozuna from Mongolia extended his Emperor's Cup titles record to 43 at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November.

But Hakuho has been plagued by injuries in recent years and withdrew from a tournament four times in 2018 and three times in 2019.

Photo
Yokozuna Hakuho pulls out of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo after the third day. (Takuya Tanabe)