There will be no Emperor’s Cup title defense for Takerufuji in May.
The lower leg injury that almost derailed the top-division newcomer’s historic championship in Osaka still hasn’t healed to a level that would allow the Isegahama stable man to compete against the sport’s best this month.
Unless Takerufuji can return at some point over the next two weeks and record a handful of wins, the spring tournament winner could find himself back in second division for the July meet.