Japanese-born yokozuna Kisenosato, who had been gunning for his third straight title, has withdrawn from the ongoing Summer Grand Sumo Tournament after failing to recover from upper body injuries, sumo officials said Wednesday.

The 30-year-old wrestler from the Tagonoura stable becomes the second yokozuna to pull out of the 15-day meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan following Kakuryu, who announced his withdrawal after four days.

Of the two remaining yokozuna, Hakuho (11-0) benefited from a slip-up by fellow Mongolian Harumafuji (10-1) on Wednesday to seize sole possession of the lead with four days remaining.