TOKYO (Kyodo) — Former ozeki Takakeisho decided Friday to retire at the age of 28, becoming one of the youngest wrestlers in the modern era to end his career after reaching the sport’s second-highest rank, which he held for 30 tournaments.
Takakeisho, a master of pushing and thrusting sumo, made the decision after his hopes of returning to ozeki were dashed by his injury withdrawal from the ongoing Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament.
The four-time tournament winner in the elite makuuchi division lost both bouts he contested after coming into the meet as a sekiwake needing 10 wins for promotion back to ozeki.
The Hyogo Prefecture native struggled with chronic pain after hurting his neck during the Nagoya meet in July 2021.
Sumo: Former ozeki Takakeisho decides to retire
