Yokozuna Musashimaru, who has missed all or part of the last six basho, has decided to take part in the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament, stablemaster Musashigawa said Thursday.
"I don't feel any concern. I just have to put out my best effort," said Musashimaru, who last appeared at the Nagoya meet in July but pulled out on the sixth day of competition due to a chronic wrist injury.
The 32-year-old Samoan-born grand champion has struggled to return to fitness after undergoing surgery on his left wrist and skipped three consecutive meets from the New Year's basho. Though nowhere near top form for the tourney which gets under way Sunday at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, Musashimaru has decided to wrestle, but could be on the verge of an early retirement if his comeback proves unsuccessful.
Meanwhile, Musoyama, who is suffering from lower back pain, will also compete at the 15-day Kyushu meet but must notch eight or more wins to keep his ozeki status after pulling out of the autumn meet.