FUKUOKA (Kyodo) -- Front runner Onosato withdrew from the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament's final day of competition Sunday with a shoulder injury, handing a walkover victory to joint leader and fellow yokozuna Hoshoryu in their scheduled bout.

The 25-year-old grand champion finished the previous day in a three-way tie for the lead with Hoshoryu and Ukrainian sekiwake Aonishiki at 11 wins and three losses.

His forfeit creates an unusual scenario in which the Mongolian-born Hoshoryu will be crowned champion without fighting on the last day of the 15-day competition at Fukuoka Kokusai Center, if the 21-year-old Aonishiki loses to ozeki Kotozakura.

Onosato's Nishonoseki stable submitted a medical certificate to the Japan Sumo Association stating he had a dislocated left shoulder requiring one month of treatment and recovery.

According to stablemaster Nishonoseki, formerly yokozuna Kisenosato, Onosato suffered the injury during his win against Aonishiki on Day 13.

"He tried working out at the practice venue this morning, but after talking with him, we decided to let him rest and not push him too hard," said Nishonoseki, who also confirmed Onosato would miss the winter sumo regional tour starting Nov. 30.

"I'm very sorry that he will be absent from the final day."

Onosato was aiming for his second consecutive Emperor's Cup and sixth overall. It is his first withdrawal from a grand tournament since debuting in May 2023.

The Ishikawa Prefecture native was forced out on Day 14 in Fukuoka by Kotozakura, taking his third defeat in a five-day span after opening his campaign with nine straight wins.