Oonosato-is the injury more serious than it seems?

[Kintamayama]

Yokozuna Oonosato unexpectedly dropped out of contention for the yusho in Kyushu after injuring his left shoulder. This year's tournament schedule for sumo came to an end with the Kyushu tournament in November, and the winter jungyo is currently underway. One of the rikishi absent from the winter jungyo is Yokozuna Oonosato. He was tied for the lead in the yusho race at the end of Day 13  with two losses, but injured his left shoulder in his match against Sekiwake Aonishiki that same day. After losing to Ozeki Kotozakura the following day, he submitted a medical certificate stating that he had a dislocated left acromioclavicular joint and needed one month of rest, and withdrew from the final day of the tournament. Unexpectedly dropping out of contention for the yusho, Oonosato also has been out from day one of the winter jungyo, which began on November 30th after the tournament, to focus on recovery. Many fans are praying for a speedy recovery, but it may be a troublesome injury that will not be easy to recover from.

A former rikishi points out that it's a nasty injury. Former Komusubi Gagamaru, who was active from Kyushu 2005 to Kyushu 2020, expressed concern about Oonosato's injury. On December 11, he posted a video on his official YouTube channel, "GAGA CHANNEL," in which he discussed a topic that had been bothering him during the Kyushu tournament. In the video, he said, "A dislocation (like Oonosato's) is worse than a broken bone. Even if it recovers, it becomes a habit and is prone to popping out of place. Also, with something like a shoulder, you can't hold it in place with tape. You can somehow bandage your fingers or wrist, but shoulders are tricky. Once it becomes a habit, it can pop out even while you're practicing or sleeping. There's no surgery, and there's nothing anyone can do to help. So, everyone can only pray." 

Regarding his decision to sit out on the final day in Kyushu, Gagamaru declared, "In my opinion, it was the right decision. If he dislocates it again, it could lead to retirement. It would be a serious problem." This suggests that the injury has a high risk of worsening and recurrence. 

Is it possible to take it easy and sit out the Hatsu Basho? Simply put, the aforementioned medical certificate indicates that Oonosato's symptoms are expected to subside somewhat by late December. However, it's unclear how much of his condition and fighting ability he will be able to regain in the roughly two weeks leading up to Hatsu Basho. It's unclear at this stage whether Oonosato will be able to compete in the Hatsu Basho, but if he's not fully recovered, sitting out the tournament is a realistic option. While this will undoubtedly be emotionally difficult, it's far better than forcing himself to compete and making the situation worse.

Furthermore, Oonosato has won 11 or more matches in three consecutive tournaments since his debut as a new Yokozuna in the 2025 Nagoya tournament, and won his first Yokozuna yusho in the September basho. Since he has consistently produced good results since his promotion, it is unlikely that the Yokozuna Deliberation Council will be too harsh on him even if he takes a break. Everything will depend on how well he recovers, but we can only hope that Oonosato makes the best decision in order to remain a stable Yokozuna for the next five to ten years.

[Gospodin]

Oh no

But I have to disagree that absolutely nothing can be done to at least reduce the possibilities of further dislocation(s). 

Do others here also think the comparison with the shoulder joint is a bit far-fetched ?

 

[RabidJohn]

When I think of a dislocated shoulder, I assume the humerus has popped out of its socket, but this is the joint between the collar bone and shoulder blade. 

Yokozuna Chiyonofuji had the first type, I believe, and he turned to weights to build muscle to try and reduce the likelihood of it reoccurring. It wasn't a total solution as I remember him collecting the Emperor's Cup one-handed with the dislocated arm in a sling...

[Reonito]

These are graded on a scale from 1-6, depending on extent of ligament damage. Treatment, recovery and prognosis depend on the severity. Unless we know the exact details, this is pure speculation (and there are surgical options for the more severe cases).

[Sumo Spiffy]

Broadly speaking, the odds of a dislocation recurring can be reduced by strengthening the muscles around the joint. Even though Onosato is already a giant with immense strength, that can always be improved with focused work. This is something he should be able to do, no matter the severity of the injury.

On the other hand, if doctors don't get in his ear and make it clear that's the case, it seems entirely possible he and Nishonoseki decide normal training is correct. Since rikishi get back to work as soon as they can, that could lead to a more chronic condition. This might not be a concern if the issue was towards the lower end of severity, but it's hard to know what level of severity it took for him to drop out with one day to go.

[Yamanashi]

10 hours ago, Sumo Spiffy said:

it seems entirely possible he and Nishonoseki decide normal training is correct.

I won't sit here and stand for such slander against a man who always kept the prevention of further injury above the mere winning and losing of ... oh (checks db) ... ex-Kisenosato?

[Reonito]

34 minutes ago, Yamanashi said:

I won't sit here and stand for such slander against a man who always kept the prevention of further injury above the mere winning and losing of ... oh (checks db) ... ex-Kisenosato?

Do as I say, not as I do?

[Benihana]

As long as he doesn't follow the example of Dr. Martin Riggs...

[Churaumi]

There's no better teacher than experience...