Mongolian ozeki Hakuho will sit out the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament as expected because of a toe injury, his stable master said Thursday.
Hakuho will miss the whole of the 15-day basho beginning in Fukuoka on Sunday and as a result will now need to post at least eight wins at the New Year meet to maintain his rank.
Hakuho was discharged Thursday from a Fukuoka hospital, where he had undergone surgery on a fractured toe on his left foot.