Ozeki Kotoshogiku has withdrawn from the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament due to injury, his stablemaster Sadogatake said on Saturday.

Kotoshogiku, who became the first Japanese-born wrestler in a decade to win a championship title with triumph at the New Year Basho in January, has been struggling with old injuries to both knees and also has a sore left ankle, according to Sadogatake.

The 32-year-old Kotoshogiku lost his fifth bout of the Nagoya meet when he was beaten by second-ranked maegashira Okinoumi on Friday.

He will be facing a battle to save his rank at the Autumn Basho in September.