Yokozuna Terunofuji misses fall tournament; blames knee injury on lack of preparation

Yokozuna Terunofuji will not participate in this year’s Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, which begins Sunday, due to injuries to his left knee that have prevented him from preparing adequately.

The 32-year-old Terunofuji was not on the list of bouts for the first day of the tournament being held at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.

The Japanese Sumo Federation announced the schedule of matches on Friday.

Terunofuji’s absence from the tournament is the first time he has played two bashos since the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament. He also has no yokozuna at the Autumn Tournament.

His stable master Isegahama said that Terunofuji had informed him that he would not be participating in the tournament.

“He was not able to condition his body in time. His absence is mainly due to injuries to his left knee during the summer tour,” said stable master Isegahama.