Posted on 03/12/2020 4:09:32 PM PDT by llevrok
The Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, set to open next weekend, will be held behind closed doors for the first time in history due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, the sport's governing body said Sunday.
The Japan Sumo Association's board of directors made the decision in an extraordinary session in Osaka. Having already ruled out the possibility of staging the 15-day meet under normal conditions, the JSA weighed whether to hold the event at Edion Arena Osaka behind closed doors or call it off completely.
While grand sumo tournaments have been canceled twice in the past, JSA Chairman Hakkaku said the directors agreed to go forward for the fans -- even if people would not be able to attend.
"To those many who were looking forward to this, we are sorry for this huge inconvenience," Hakkaku said. "There were various viewpoints, but there was an absolute desire to hold it for the sake of the fans."
(Excerpt) Read more at english.kyodonews.net ...
The wrestlers seem to be getting used to no crowd to pump them up
Great.
Now where am I going to go to see big guys showing their behinds?
The View?
Watching as well. And it is weird watching a wrestler hit the dohyo with sound from the crowd to be heard.
I think Japan is being super-cautious because the Olympics are scheduled there this summer.
Guaranteed that the international visitors will be less than originally expected which is a shame.
I went to the Osaka tournament in 2003, the only sumo tournament I have ever seen. Very distinctive experience.
Yep. I watch the matches. It’s just not the same without the crowd. Very strange indeed.
What about the baseball? Schools? Any info?
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