Yokozuna Kakuryu retires after missing five straight tournaments: Kyodo

FILE PHOTO: Mongolian-born grand sumo champion Yokozuna Kakuryu performs the New Year's ring-entering rite at the annual celebration for the New Year at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, Japan January 9, 2018. REUTERS/Toru Hanai

(Reuters) - Sumo grand champion Kakuryu has retired after missing five consecutive tournaments, Kyodo News reported on Wednesday, leaving Hakuho as the sport's only active yokozuna.

Mongolia-born Kakuryu, 35, made his professional debut in 2001 and reached the sport's highest ranking of yokozuna in 2014, becoming the 71st wrestler to do so.