It's been revealed that NMB48's Kobayashi Rikako (Team BII) will be withdrawing from AKB48's '4th Janken Tournament' which will be held on September 18 at Nippon Budokan.

Since some months ago, Kobayashi had been visiting a hospital to receive treatment for discomfort in her foot. However, her symptoms has worsened, "Recently the pain has gotten worse so I had been enduring the pain in my foot during performances." She's decided to take a rest as doctors told her to "take a break and heal it completely." 

Kobayashi explained, "I thought the janken tournament on the 18th would be a big chance for me. When I thought about the trouble I would cause with my foot injury, even if I win, I felt very apologetic and had to withdraw. I know that this is an important time for me and Team BII, but if things remain this way, I thought I would cause trouble to everyone, so I have decided to take a break." 

In the meantime, Kobayashi will devote herself to "treatment and rehabilitation". She expressed, "I will do my best to show my healthy self to everyone as soon as possible. Until then, please wait for me." 

Kobayashi was paired up against AKB48's Yamauchi Suzuran in the first round.

Source & Image: Oricon