Takanohana returns
to visit Paris surgeon

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TOKYO >> Yokozuna Takanohana said yesterday he will fly to Paris later this month to visit the surgeon who operated on his knee last year.

Takanohana, who injured ligaments in his right knee during the summer tourney last May, has missed the last four meets after having surgery in Paris in July.

Takanohana, who will have tests on the knee from his surgeon, refused to rule himself out of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament which gets under way March 10 in Osaka.

"I'll see how the (knee injury) is just before the meet," he said.

Takanohana's father and stablemaster, Futagoyama, also hoped the grand champion will make the recovery in time.

"He can bend his knee a little now and is undergoing intensive treatment three or four days a week. He is making progress but you need to take care because the knees are a very delicate part of the body," he said.

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