Sumo: Troubled Asashoryu pulls out of autumn tourney

TOKYO, Sept. 23 Kyodo - Troubled grand champion Asashoryu withdrew from the ongoing Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament on Tuesday, citing an injury to the same left elbow he hurt during the Nagoya meet in July.
The Mongolian-born wrestler presented the Japan Sumo Association with a medical
certificate saying he will require a three-week rest for a medial collateral
ligament injury to the elbow.
It is the first time Asashoryu has pulled out of two consecutive tournaments
because of injury. He forfeits Tuesday's scheduled bout against fifth-ranked
maegashira Goeido.
Asashoryu's withdrawal comes a day after his campaign at Ryogoku Kokugikan
plunged to new depths with a fourth defeat at the hands of sekiwake Ama.
The once-dominant yokozuna's career has taken a downward turn this past year
and he has not claimed a title since beating rival grand champion Hakuho on the
final day of the spring meet in March.
Although Asashoryu got himself into shape for the autumn meet after pulling out
in Nagoya, he has failed to convince and his form has led certain sections of
the media to speculate on the possibility of him retiring.
The 27-year-old has been struggling to get back to his best ever since he was
hit with a two-tournament suspension for feigning the extent of his injuries in
order to skip a summer regional tour in 2007.