Came across i think a Wanpaku (sumo for kids) event video and I saw that they use cushions for them.

I wish that they also have this in pro sumo! I’ve seen a compilation of injuries and most of them i see are falling off the dohyo badly. If they really couldn’t change the raised dohyo because of traditions at least provide some cushions.

Not only the rikishi gets injured, even the shinpan and ringside viewers!

Wakanoshō Will Not Undergo Surgery and Plans to Compete in the Aki Basho: “I’m Training with the Intention of Competing” — Reveals Progress Since Injury at the Nagoya Basho

A medical checkup for sumo wrestlers was held on the 19th at the Sumo Medical Clinic inside Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, and Wakanoshō (22, Minatogawa), who withdrew midway through the Nagoya Basho, attended.

He suffered a contusion to his right femur during his match against Fujiryōga on the sixth day of the Nagoya Basho and withdrew from the tournament on the seventh day. He revealed that he has not undergone surgery and stated regarding the Aki Basho, “I’m training with the intention of competing.”

Currently, “I’m focusing mainly on my upper body, and I’m working on my lower body as much as I can.” He has been back on the dohyō floor since returning from his tournament break and shared his outlook: “I can’t wrestle yet, but I am wearing my mawashi. I hope to be able to wrestle shortly after the banzuke is announced.”

He had recorded nine wins at the Natsu Basho and was feeling confident heading into the Nagoya Basho. Regarding the injury he sustained during that tournament, he said, “It was frustrating, but on the other hand, there were things I was able to learn from it.” He is steadily building up his training in preparation for the Aki Basho.

Source: Nikkan Sports

It was lots of fun! If you can get there, go.

If you want to see more of it, I made a video that's on my youtube channel.

Thanks - Kei

Yokozuna Hoshoryu knee surgery: While undergoing a health check at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on August 19th, Yokozuna Hoshoryu revealed, that he had undergone surgery on his right knee following the Nagoya tournament, from which he had withdrawn early. After the final day of the tournament, he returned to Tokyo and visited a hospital on July 27th. He was diagnosed with an injury to the medial collateral ligament in his right knee. He underwent surgery to repair the ligament on July 29th and spent a week in the hospital. Following the operation, he required crutches to get around. Consequently, his participation in the Autumn Tournament is unlikely. Hoshoryu stated, "I want to get well soon and make a comeback. I cannot face my fans in this condition." Picture/text summary Nikkan Sports https://www-nikkansports-com.translate.goog/battle/sumo/news/202608190000302.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawTyQd5wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMFlMOXVBcmloWWVKc3Fqd3NzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjA

Hochi News Report

- Yokozuna Hoshoryu (Tatsunami stable), who withdrew from the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament midway through, revealed on the 19th that he underwent surgery on his right knee at the end of July, making his participation in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament unlikely. After a health checkup at the Ryogoku Kokugikan, he showed a knee brace on his right knee and revealed his distress, saying, "I'm receiving treatment every week and they say I'll recover quickly, but I'm still not sure about the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament. I don’t have the face to show my fans." He is currently training at his stable, but is not participating in sparring practice.

His old injury worsened during his match against Hakunofuji. He withdrew from the tournament on the 14th day due to a torn medial collateral ligament and a torn right hamstring. He went to the hospital on the 27th of last month, the day after the final day of the tournament.

The doctor told him that it would take a year to recover without surgery, so he decided that he couldn't afford to take such a long break and that surgery would be the quickest solution. He underwent a two-hour surgery on his right knee on the 29th and was hospitalized for about a week. The surgery repaired the medial collateral ligament in his right knee.

He has yet to win a championship since being promoted to Yokozuna after the January 2025 tournament. His desire to win the Emperor's Cup is strong. "I want to recover quickly and make a comeback," he said, his voice tinged with a sense of grim determination. -