Yokozuna Musashimaru and two ozeki will sit out the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, sumo officials confirmed Friday when bouts for the opening two days of the meet were announced.
Musashimaru has failed to recover after an operation on his wrist in November while ozeki pair Kaio and Chiyotaikai have also yet to regain full fitness after both suffered arm injuries during the Kyushu Basho. But organizers of the tourney got a boost Thursday when yokozuna Takanohana surprisingly announced he would compete despite a lack of preparation in the leadup to the Jan. 12-26 meet.