Kotozakura kyujo

[Moti Dichne]

Ozeki Kotozakura  has withdrawn from the tournament, and his Oyakata Sadogatake has explained the circumstances. The reason for the withdrawal is that he is having trouble with his lower back. According to Sadogatake Oyakata, Kotozakura injured his back while training with a rikishi who came to practice with him before the tournament. "There were times when his back gave out and he couldn't stand up. I told him to stop, but he said he was fine and continued, but that happened two days in a row." On the night of the 11th day, when it was decided that he went makekoshi, Kotozakura told him that he "couldn't put any strength into his lower back," and on the morning of the 12th day, he requested to withdraw from the tournament. Sadogatake Oyakata said, "It's just an excuse to say that after losing so much. He's never complained about being in pain, even in the past. He just needs to get properly healed and train hard so that in the next tournament people will say that Kotozakura is different and strong." He said he is considering attending the retirement sumo tournaments for Ooyama Oyakata (former Komusubi Hokutofuji) and Kiriyama Oyakata (former Sekiwake Takarafuji) on the 30th and 31st, as well as the Paris jungyo in June.