The Spring Grand Sumo Tournament begins Sunday with a unique window of opportunity for wrestlers to rise in the rankings.
The spate of yokozuna injury withdrawals that has plagued the sport since last May will continue at the 15-day competition at Edion Arena Osaka, with Kakuryu the sole yokozuna set to enter the raised ring.
Even so, the Mongolian is dealing with finger pain in his right hand, and his participation was in question until the last minute.