Japanese Sumo Association reveals 19 wrestlers have tested positive for coronavirus

Japanese Sumo Association anunced on September 10 that following positive report of a wrestler from Tamai stable, 18 more people associated with group have tested positive for coronavirus. In statement, association said that after first wrestler turned out to be COVID-19 positive, y immediately contacted achi Public Health Center. Upon receiving instructions, y conducted tests on 32 people who h been in close contact with those affected and several or room members for a new coronavirus infection and found 18 new positives.

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Tamai stable hit by COVID-19, to sit out August tournament

On September 5, Japanese Sumo Association h confirmed that a member of  Tamai stable has tested positive for coronavirus. After ditional incidents, Japanese Sumo Association (JSA) has said that entire stable, including its stablemaster and former ozeki Tochiazuma, will sit out Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament starting this weekend.  JSA also confirmed that 12 of 19 infected have been hospitalised with mild symptoms. Two of stable's rikishi - . 7 Azumaryu and . 14 Fujiazuma - were slated to compete in second-tier juryo division but will miss out. 

Japanese Sumo Association’s director of communications, elder Shibatayama has assured fans that 15-day tournament starting Sunday at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo would go ahe as scheduled despite  fresh outbreak.  organization plans to let 2,500 fans attend each day during upcoming two-week tournament at venue which has a capacity of 11,000.

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Japanese Sumo Association's COVID-19 outbreak

In April, several members of Takagawa stable including its stablemaster — a former sekiwake kwn n as Akishima — and second-division grappler Hakuyozan tested positive for coronavirus. In May, Takagawa's 28-year-old Shobushi Kanji from fourth-tier sandanme division died due to multiple organ failure caused by virus. He was first sumo wrestler to test positive for virus in early April and was just 28 at time of death. 

Japanese Sumo Association held this year’s March grand tournament in Osaka behind closed doors and cancelled May tournament due to a nationwide state of emergency amid spre of virus. It has put in place several infection prevention measures, such as banning wrestlers from visiting or stables for training - a move that proved to be very effective throughout July Grand Sumo Tournament.  association allowed up to 2,500 spectators to attend July Grand Sumo Tournament each day, asking m to wear masks and refrain from cheering.

Japan Sumo Association has also released a statement saying that it will continue to implement more thorough measures based on new coronavirus infection response guidelines to prevent spre of infection. 

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Im Credits: AP