ITOSHIMA, Japan - Yokozuna Hoshoryu said Tuesday his decision on whether to compete at the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament will come down to the wire after he missed the whole of the Autumn meet in September.
The Mongolian-born grand champion finished July's Nagoya meet with a 7-7 record before having surgery late that month on his right knee.
"I'm working assuming I will compete," Hoshoryu said at the lodging of his Tatsunami stable in Itoshima, Fukuoka Prefecture, as he gears up toward the 15-day Kyushu meet from Nov. 8.
"I wouldn't know until the last moment, and will decide after discussing with my stablemaster," added Hoshoryu, who has yet to add to his two top-tier makuuchi division titles in his 10 tournaments as a yokozuna.
Hoshoryu had 15 practice bouts on the day against wrestlers from the third-tier makushita division and below, winning 13 times. While he showed his strength when he managed to secure a left overarm belt hold, he was easily pushed out when attacked with a low drive.
"(My knee) is getting better," said Hoshoryu, who fought his first bout in two months and a half earlier this month during the Japan Sumo Association's regional tour.
Hoshoryu revealed he called on his fellow grand champion and Autumn meet winner Onosato as his first opponent back.
"Onosato looked surprised when I told him, 'Let's have a bout,'" Hoshoryu recalled with a smile.
