Hakuho, winner of the Kyushu basho in November and one of two yokozuna on the banzuke for the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, withdrew from the first meet of the year on Wednesday.
The 34-year-old began his quest for a record-extending 44th career championship on Sunday with a win, but conceded two kinboshi, upsets of a yokozuna by a rank-and-filer, in his next two bouts for a 1-2 record.
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