Grand champion Kisenosato, the only Japanese wrestler at sumo’s highest rank, decided to retire Wednesday after three straight losses at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament.
Kisenosato needed a strong start to salvage his career but wasn’t able to win in the first three days.
“It’s very regrettable that I wasn’t able to live up to everyone’s expectations as a yokozuna,” Kisenosato said. “But I don’t regret any part of my career.”
The 32-year-old Kisenosato was the first Japanese-born wrestler in 19 years to gain promotion to sumo’s highest rank in March 2017. He won his second straight championship in his yokozuna debut at the following tournament.
