Ozeki Kaio, who has been plagued with a nagging back problem, said he would wrestle in the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament to hold on to sumo's second-highest rank, although he runs the risk of aggravating the injury.
The Tomozuna stable wrestler, whose hopes of earning promotion to yokozuna evaporated in September when he was forced to pull out after three straight losses, has convinced sumo elder Tomozuna that he is ready for battle, even if the twinges of pain continue.