Battle-worn ozeki Kaio, the all-time career wins leader, will retire from sumo, drawing the curtain on an illustrious but injury-plagued career, his stablemaster Tomozuna said Tuesday.
The hugely popular Kaio, who suffered his seventh defeat the same day at the ongoing Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament, would have needed to win his remaining five bouts at Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium to avoid facing demotion at the autumn basho in September.
"He told me that he wants to retire. He has really done the best he can, that's all," said Tomozuna. "I told him, 'You've really done your utmost and anytime that you want to retire it's fine with me.' He will talk in detail at a press conference tomorrow."