Hakuho's stable master indicated Sunday the Mongolian-born ozeki will not be ready in time to wrestle in the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament because of a toe injury.
Hakuho is set to leave hospital in the next couple of days after receiving treatment for a toe injury sustained when he stubbed it on some steps at a practice site last Wednesday.
But Kumagatani said, "Even when he (Hakuho) gets out of hospital if he can't practice properly then he won't be able to win. I don't want to force him to participate."