KYODO NEWS - Nov 9, 2017 - 13:17 | Sports, All

Yokozuna Kisenosato confirmed Thursday he will compete at the upcoming Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament after missing all or part of the last three meets.

A day after fellow yokozuna Kakuryu announced his withdrawal from the 15-day event which gets under way Sunday at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, the injury-plagued Kisenosato said he will do his best and hopes his best is good enough.

"All I'll do is give my best effort. I've prepared well and feel in top shape. Now it comes down to the results. I'll do what I have to do," he said.

The 31-year-old Japan-born grand champion injured his left upper arm and chest muscles when he claimed the title at the Spring tourney in March, and pulled out of the Summer meet in May with four days remaining.

At the Nagoya meet in July, Kisenosato got off to a losing start and eventually withdrew citing left ankle injury. He opted out of the Autumn tournament in September, the first time he missed an entire tournament since his debut in 2002.

The Tagonoura stable wrestler returned to action in the autumn regional tour and has been back on his rigorous training routine since.