TOKYO - Yokozuna Onosato said he "managed to get through" the 28-day summer sumo tour as it wrapped up Sunday in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, despite problems with his troublesome left shoulder limiting his participation.
The 26-year-old grand champion turns his focus to next month's Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, where he will aim for his sixth Emperor's Cup.
He did not take part in practice bouts during the morning session on the tour's final day, instead helping second-tier juryo wrestler Kagayaki with charging drills.
After briefly leaving the tour in the middle stages for treatment on his shoulder, Onosato increased the intensity of his training following his return.
"I managed to get through the whole tour somehow," he said. "I want to return to my stable and work thoroughly on my stomping and foot-sliding drills in preparation for the opening day of the tournament."
Sumo association sources said the tour schedule will be relaxed starting next year and travel time will be cut down to reduce the burden on wrestlers.
The chief tour organizer, stablemaster Takadagawa, said the association would seek to balance the "twin pillars of main tournaments and regional exhibitions."
"We'll continue to make improvements as we move forward," said Takadagawa, the former sekiwake Akinoshima.
The association will release the rankings on Monday for the 15-day Autumn tournament opening Sept. 13 at Ryogoku Kokugikan arena.
