Jan 10 (NHK) - Three yokozuna, or grand champion sumo wrestlers, have taken part in a ring-entering ceremony at a Shinto shrine in Tokyo to pray for safety and success at the sport's New Year tournament.
About 2,800 people went to Meiji Shrine to watch the annual event on Tuesday.
Hakuho, Kisenosato and Kakuryu performed related rituals in traditional style.
Hakuho later said he's bracing himself at the start of 2018. He added that he's training hard to set a new record of 41 tournament wins.
Kisenosato said he's focused on preparing well for the tournament. He was promoted to the top rank last year, but later withdrew from 4 tournaments in a row.
Kakuryu also pulled out of 4 straight tournaments last year. He said he wants to make his fans happy this year.
The sport's top referee, who usually leads yokozuna at the ceremony, did not appear, as he's now at the center of a sexual harassment scandal.
Yokozuna Harumafuji retired in November to take responsibility for an assault scandal involving a junior wrestler.
The New Year tournament opens at Tokyo's Kokugikan arena on Sunday.
Source: Kyodo
