 He did not enter the March 2018 tournament, and his decision not to participate in May meant a failure to complete seven straight tournaments, equalling the longest absence for a "yokozuna" since the six tournaments a year system began in 1958.On July 2 Kisenosato faced Hakuhō in a training session held at Kokonoe stable, the first time the two "yokozuna" had met in the practice ring in over a year, but he ultimately decided not to enter the Nagoya "basho".Missing his eighth straight tournament in July, Kisenosato said, "Although I have been trying desperately to be in shape, I decided to withdraw since I haven't made enough progress.