Hoshoryu Returns to Sumo Tour After Injury, Eyes Autumn Comeback

Yokozuna Hoshoryu, the Mongolian-born grand champion, participated in the Japan Sumo Association's regional tour on Thursday. This marked his return after recovering from a left big toe injury that sidelined him from the July Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.

His performance in the 15-day meet was marked by a 1-4 record, reflecting a challenging beginning at the yokozuna rank. He had previously withdrawn from the March tournament in Osaka with a 5-5 record, during his yokozuna debut, before achieving a 12-3 record in May.

In Koga, Ibaraki Prefecture, Hoshoryu engaged in a morning sparring session, facing various wrestlers, including the rising star Kusano. He also competed against fellow yokozuna Onosato. He was seen wearing split-toe "tabi" socks on his left foot as he continues to heal from the injury, which involved both a fracture and dislocation.

The 26-year-old wrestler shared that his foot had improved significantly and expressed his hope for continued progress. He mentioned wearing a cast for about five days after the July tournament to protect the injury. He also revealed that he had experienced discomfort before the tournament, unaware of the crack at the time.

Hoshoryu is focused on making a strong comeback at the Autumn meet in Tokyo in September. He is also working on managing the weight of responsibility that comes with his position at the top of the sumo world.

He attributed his injury to his strong desire to win the championship and expressed his goal of returning to his usual form. The two-time Emperor's Cup winner will remain with the tour until its conclusion on August 31. He acknowledged that he had been unconsciously affected by the pressure of being a yokozuna.