Sumo: Asashoryu returns to Mongolia, may sit out next tournament

TOKYO, Oct. 6 Kyodo - Yokozuna Asashoryu left Japan for Mongolia on Monday to receive treatment for his injured elbow and may not return to the ring until the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, possibly putting his career on the line.

Asashoryu, who pulled out midway through the autumn meet last month, presented
the Japan Sumo Association earlier in the day with a medical certificate saying
he would need a four-week rest because of a damaged ligament in his left elbow.
''I realize from my experience that a good result doesn't follow if you wrestle
before recovering fully from an injury,'' Asashoryu said. ''My body doesn't
move well when my mind tells me to go fast. I just want to get back to perfect
shape first and then get myself motivated for a tournament.''
The Mongolian, who will skip the upcoming regional tour beginning Sunday,
suggested the possibility of sitting out the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament next
month and his future would hang in the balance in his next tournament
appearance.
''I'll decide whether to wrestle (in Kyushu) or not depending on the injury
situation and what I need to do now is to concentrate on treatment,'' said
Asashoryu, who withdrew during the last two tournaments.
''There will not be a third time that I pull out,'' he said, indicating that he
would likely choose to quit if his return to the dohyo ring proves
unsuccessful.
Asashoryu's career has taken a downward turn this year and he has claimed no
title since beating fellow Mongolian grand champion Hakuho on the final day of
the spring meet in March.
The 22-time Emperor's Cup winner has been struggling to get back to his best
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.