Injury-plagued yokozuna Kisenosato confirmed Wednesday his decision to retire from sumo, making the announcement a day after suffering his third loss of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.

The news sent shock waves throughout the sumo world, once again leaving the sport without a Japan-born wrestler at the highest rank.

The 32-year-old Kisenosato, who went into the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan with his status in jeopardy, decided to call time on his wrestling career after posting an 0-3 record over the first three days of his 12th meet as a yokozuna.