Limited to a single full tournament in 2023 due to injuries, the sumo realm grapples with the likelihood of lone yokozuna Terunofuji stepping down before a successor claims the pinnacle of the sport.

Securing his eighth Emperor's Cup with a dominant 14-1 display at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan in May, the grand champion of Mongolian origin completed a full 15-day tournament only once throughout the year. This marked the sixth occurrence since his debut as a yokozuna in September 2021.

Facing severe back pain and various health challenges, the 32-year-old was unable to participate in four of the six grand tournaments last year. Additionally, he withdrew from the July meet after three days, immediately following his victory in Tokyo.

Despite a career marked by a remarkable return from injuries, the increasing number of absences over the past year has shifted attention toward the possibility of his retirement.

Terunofuji's sumo journey encountered challenges long before he attained the prestigious yokozuna rank. Entering the professional sumo scene in 2011, he ascended to the second-highest rank of ozeki by July 2015. Yet, his path was marked by severe knee injuries and a concurrent battle with diabetes, leading to a substantial decline in his ranking.

Dropping to the jonidan division, the fifth tier, by March 2019, Terunofuji considered retiring. It was only after his stablemaster, Isegahama, convinced him that there were still prospects for success in the dohyō that he decided to continue his sumo career.

He fought through the ranks, staging a remarkable comeback to the prestigious makuuchi division during the July 2020 tournament, achieving the unprecedented feat of ascending from jonidan to the pinnacle of sumo wrestling.

Emerging triumphant in the competition and securing victories in four of the six grand tournaments the subsequent year, he accomplished the impressive feat of reclaiming the ozeki title and subsequently attaining the esteemed yokozuna status. While a yokozuna is immune to demotion, external pressures to retire often mount for those experiencing prolonged absences. A similar scenario unfolded with the retirement of the legendary Hakuho in September 2021, leaving Terunofuji as the sole remaining 1 grand champion, with no apparent successors in line to join him at the prestigious rank.

The Japan Sumo Association is pinning its aspirations for a new yokozuna on three present ozeki—Kirishima, Takakeisho, and Hoshoryu.

Kirishima is poised for a bid at promotion as he competes in the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament from January 14 to 28, following his triumphant performance in November.

Achieving the yokozuna status is within reach for the 27-year-old Mongolian, either by securing the championship or concluding with a performance that the JSA deems worthy of a champion.

While Hoshoryu, the 24-year-old nephew of the Mongolian former yokozuna Asashoryu, displays significant potential, it might take some time for him to consistently achieve the necessary win totals to enter the promotion discussion.

At 27 years old, Takakeisho emerges as the most promising candidate for a native grand champion, boasting four Emperor's Cup victories. However, his journey has been marred by injuries and varying performance levels since his ozeki debut in May 2019.

In late December, while participating in an event at Ryogoku Kokugikan, Terunofuji hinted at his intention to participate in the upcoming New Year's meet. When questioned about his preparations, he nonchalantly responded, "I'm putting in the effort within my capabilities."

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