Society

Sumo wrestler tests positive for coronavirus

Apr 11 (NHK) - Japan's professional sumo association has reported the first case of coronavirus in one of its wrestlers.

The wrestler belongs to a lower division.

The Japan Sumo Association says he tested positive on Friday, two days after being admitted to hospital in Tokyo.

It says the wrestler developed a fever last Saturday and now has symptoms such as coughing, fatigue and breathing difficulties.

His stable has suspended training sessions and banned its other wrestlers from going outside. None of them are said to feel unwell.

The sumo association says it will look into the infected wrestler's recent activity.

The spread of the coronavirus last week forced the association to postpone the third of the year's six regular competitions by two weeks. It is now scheduled to start on May 24.

The association says it may hold the event without spectators or even cancel it, depending on future developments over the virus.

The group's public affairs director, Shibatayama, said it will continue with preparations for the May event, but indicated it will have to discuss which option to take in light of the increasingly tense situation.

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