Musashimaru to sit out
New Year sumo meet

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TOKYO, Jan. 10 (Kyodo) -- Yokozuna Musashimaru and two ozeki will sit out the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament, sumo officials confirmed Friday when bouts for the opening two days of the meet were announced.

Musashimaru has failed to recover after an operation on his wrist in November while ozeki pair Kaio and Chiyotaikai have also yet to regain full fitness after both suffered arm injuries during the Kyushu basho.

But organizers of the tourney got a boost Thursday when yokozuna Takanohana surprisingly announced he would compete despite a lack of preparation in the lead-up to the Jan. 12-26 meet.

Ozeki Asashoryu is the reigning Emperor's Cup holder and could seal promotion to yokozuna with another victory at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo. The Mongolian kicks off his defense against No. 1 maegashira Tosanoumi.

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