FUKUOKA (Kyodo) Injury-prone ozeki Kaio pulled out of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament on Wednesday after hurting his arm in Tuesday's loss to Wakanosato, said his stablemaster, Tomozuna.
With little hope of coming back during the ongoing tournament in his hometown of Fukuoka, the 36-year-old veteran will be in danger of being demoted from the rank of ozeki for the 12th time at the New Year meet in January, matching the record held by ozeki Chiyotaikai.
During the third day of the tournament, Kaio injured his upper left arm in his second loss against former sekiwake Wakanosato.
It is the 18th time in his career that Kaio has dropped out of the tournament.
Kotoshogiku, Kaio's scheduled opponent Wednesday, will be awarded a win by default.