Grand champion Musashimaru is expected to miss the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament due to a left wrist injury, his stablemaster said Thursday.
"He's suffering from inflammation in his wrist and can't even practice," Musashigawa said. "It's doubtful he'll be able to take part."
The 31-year-old has been sidelined since November, when he damaged ligaments in his left wrist and was forced to withdraw from the Kyushu tournament. He underwent surgery later that month.
If Musashimaru sits out the May 11-25 meet at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, it will be the fourth straight tournament the yokozuna has missed.