Injuries End Yokozuna's Reign, Marking End of an Era

Terunofuji Announces Retirement, Citing Injuries

Terunofuji, the lone yokozuna in sumo, announced his retirement on January 17th, 2023, citing his battered body as the reason for his decision.

"I have done the best I can, but I can no longer perform the way I want to," Terunofuji said at a news conference at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo. "I felt that I should no longer enter the ring with a half-hearted attitude and body."

Terunofuji, 33, missed both the September and November tournaments in 2022 due to knee injuries. He competed in the January tournament but suffered two losses in the first four days. On the morning of the fifth day, he informed the Japan Sumo Association that he would be withdrawing for the remainder of the tournament.

This marked the 13th time Terunofuji had withdrawn during the 21 tournaments he participated in as a yokozuna, sumo's highest rank. His stablemaster informed the association of Terunofuji's intention to retire on the same day. The association has since begun the official retirement procedures.

Terunofuji's career began when he transferred from a Mongolian school to Tottori Johoku High School, known for its strong sumo club. He entered the professional sumo world in 2011 at the age of 19.

Leveraging his 192-centimeter height and 176-kilogram weight, Terunofuji rose through the ranks, achieving the ozeki rank at the age of 23. After injuries and diabetes forced him down to the jonidan division, he fought his way back to the top makuuchi division. In March 2021, he won his third Emperor's Cup and regained his ozeki ranking. Following the July tournament in Nagoya that year, he was promoted to the 73rd yokozuna.

In recent years, Terunofuji has been the sole wrestler holding the top rank in sumo. He plans to focus on teaching younger generations at the Isegahama stable for the time being.