Former makuuchi-division wrestler Asanowaka has decided to draw the curtain on his sumo career citing physical reasons and completed paperwork for his retirement with the Japan Sumo Association on Thursday.
The 35-year-old Takasago stable wrestler competed in 52 tournaments without taking a single day off since his makuuchi debut in 1994, his highest rank being a No. 1 maegashira, the lowest of five ranks in the top makuuchi division.
"I wasn't able to fight the kind of sumo I hoped to this past year, but I'm glad I came this far without injury," said Asanowaka, who posted a 346-434 record in the makuuchi division.