Kakuryu survives scare to remain perfect

The day's thrilling finale was in contrast to the bleak news the day started with as Kisenosato became the second yokozuna in two days to withdraw with an injury. Yokozuna Hakuho had pulled out the day before.

This is something that really bugs me about sumo, and will never change either. Yokozuna are allowed to withdraw from tournaments because of an "injury" real or imagined, and other wrestlers who do so drop in ranking if they do the same.

If Kisenosato was a maegashira wrestler and withdrew or did not participate in 5 consecutive tournaments he would have dropped like a rock into the juryo class.

Back when Takanohana, Wakanohana, Akebono, and Mushashimaru were yokozuna if they had done the same thing, wait, they would not have been allowed, as they would have been forced to retire after 2 or at MOST 3 tournaments.

The sumo association is setting a precedent here that is going to be hard to follow as up and coming and future yokozuna will have to be allowed the same leeway.