The January Hatsu Basho 2014, the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, began on Sunday January 12th. Unfortunately, Yokozuna Harumafuji is having to skip the January Hatsu Basho tournament due to his left ankle and heel injuries.

The 29 year-old Yokozuna received injuries to his left ankle and heel during practice bouts in mid December. In January he completed his practice bouts only 12 times. Yokouzuna Harumafuji`s master, Oyakata Isegehama, said that Harumafuji`s muscle seemed to have been pulled slightly. Yokozuna therefore decided to miss the Hatsu Basho so as not to worsen the injury.

It will be the first time for a yokozuna to miss a regular tournament since 2008. The now-retired Asashoryu was forced to miss the Kyushu Basho in November due to a ban.

As well as Yokozuna Harumafuji, the 7th ranked Homasho and 17th ranked Kotoyuki in east maegashira rank, are also forced to miss the Hatsu Basho due to health problems.

On the first day of January’s tournament Hatsu Bahso, Hakuho Davaajargal Munkhbat easily won whilst his strong rival Ozeki Kisenosato lost by komusubi Tochiozan in the first round.