Yokozuna Hakuho will line up on the prestigious east side for the first time in the absence of fellow Mongolian Asashoryu, the Japan Sumo Association announced on Monday as it released the rankings for the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
Asashoryu is suspended for the Nov. 11-25 meet at Fukuoka Kokusai Center and is back on the west side for the first time since making his debut at sumo's top rank of yokozuna at the 2003 spring tournament.
Asashoryu was also absent from the autumn basho last month after he was hit with a two-tournament ban on Aug. 1 for playing in a charity soccer match in Mongolia in late July, despite having been permitted to skip a regional training tour due to injuries.
Asashoryu was diagnosed with a stress disorder shortly after being slapped with the suspension and is currently being treated for the disorder and other injuries in his homeland.