Takakeisho. (Kyodo)

       TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Ozeki Takakeisho has pulled out of the ongoing New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, the first of the year's six grand tournaments, citing a right foot injury, the Japan Sumo Association said Wednesday.

       Japan-born Takakeisho, fighting from sumo's second-highest rank, got off to a winning start in the 15-day tournament at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan, but lost his next two bouts and was 1-2 after three days. He suffered the foot sprain during his Day 3 bout against Ura.

       According to his stablemaster Tokiwayama, Takakeisho told him Wednesday morning that his ankle hurts and he was no condition to wrestle. He is expected to sit out the entire tournament and finish with a losing record.

       "I want him to focus only on recovery so that he will be ready for the spring basho (in March)," Tokiwayama said.

       He forfeits his Day 4 bout against No. 1 maegashira Kiribayama.

       Takakeisho is withdrawing from a basho for the eighth time in his career. If the 25-year-old does not return to the raised ring during the tournament, he will fight as a demotion-threatened "kadoban" ozeki at the next meet in March.

       Takakeisho is the sixth wrestler in the juryo division or above to go on the New Year absentee list.

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