Sumo: Mitakeumi forced to leave Nagoya meet after COVID case at stable

Kyodo -- Jul 16

Demotion-threatened ozeki Mitakeumi was forced to pull out of the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday after a positive COVID-19 case was reported at his Dewanoumi stable.

Mitakeumi needed a winning record of eight wins or more to stay at the sport's second-highest rank but struggled at Dolphins Arena after going 2-4 in his first six days, due partly to a right shoulder injury he suffered at the Summer meet in May.

Mitakeumi will finish the ongoing meet with a 2-5 record as he forfeits Saturday's scheduled bout against komusubi Hoshoryhu.