Corona and sumo

[Gaijingai]

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/06/10/sumo/virus-will-force-sumo-fans-wrestlers-adjust-new-normal/#.XuDa7cBq0lQ

john Gunning

[Gaijingai]

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/backstories/1134/

youce beard it all before 

Edited June 12, 2020 by Gaijingai

[Yamanashi]

48 minutes ago, Gaijingai said:

youce beard it all before 

I'll have what he's drinking.

[Akinomaki]

The NSK today announced the completion of the Corona antibody tests of the NSK related persons. The result publication is expected for later this month, so far test results have neither been told the tested person nor the NSK. It is left to the experts to order if someone tested positive has to undergo a PCR test. https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2020/06/12/0013418700.shtml

- the 6 from Takadagawa-beya who were in hospital not even need the antibody test to know they are positive

[Kaminariyuki]

On 10/06/2020 at 07:22, Gaijingai said:

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/06/10/sumo/virus-will-force-sumo-fans-wrestlers-adjust-new-normal/#.XuDa7cBq0lQ

john Gunning

John raises a really valid point in this article I hadn't heard previously. There's no reason that all the rikishi should be in a poorly ventilated basement together. The NSK should really improvise some temporary dressing room facilities up in the stands or on the concourses. Come on guys, this falls into the category of basic human decency, never mind the very future of the sport.

[Akinomaki]

Chiyonokuni, though no longer sekitori for a year now, has donated 3000 masks to his hometown Iga, Mie. He had family members hand them over to a local welfare organization on May 28th. http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202006120000616.html

Sekitori at home: Tochiozan, Fujiazuma (back after 3 years), Chiyootori, Chiyomaru

vid vid vid vid

[robnplunder]

Holy @#$%@#$%.   Tokyo just reported 47 new infections.   This is not a good turn of events.   Perhaps, the next basho should be moved to another venue, outside of Tokyo to be safe.  

[Qwerry]

Tokyo is a big city. This is a small number. No need to create a panic.

[Akinomaki]

Kitadaichi is making masks in his spare time. He has produced about 30 so far, from the scraps that turn up when a yukata is made. He uses his own sewing machine, bought end of last year to repair a torn yukata himself, the instruction how to make a mask he got from the internet. If he has some more, he wants to distribute them to the family and local supporters.

o o

His heya is a front-runner in respect of donating masks

On 15/04/2020 at 16:54, Akinomaki said:

Tatsunami-beya had donated cloth to make yukata with heya and rikishi design to the locals of Tsukuba-mirai city to make about 2500 masks for nursery school kids.

[Amamaniac]

On 12/06/2020 at 09:30, Akinomaki said:

- the 6 from Takadagawa-beya who were in hospital not even need the antibody test to know they are positive

Yet testing all six anyway would confirm just how robust the antibody test is.  There have been news reports in other countries that tests for the virus are only 50% accurate.  I would hope that the antibody tests are a little better!

[Akinomaki]

On 12/06/2020 at 09:30, Akinomaki said:

The NSK today announced the completion of the Corona antibody tests of the NSK related persons. The result publication is expected for later this month, so far test results have neither been told the tested person nor the NSK. It is left to the experts to order if someone tested positive has to undergo a PCR test.

Today it was confirmed that the antibody testing was completed on the 12th. Interviewed by phone was not PR-top Shibatayama this time, the member of his department Takasaki (Kinkaiyama) talked to the press: "There were no additional ones, so like announced the other day, the tests are over. But it mustn't be just collecting results, so in consultation with the experts, how to report them is what the PR department now is at the stage of considering."

The next rijikai will decide on holding the basho: "Even when we say there will be no banzuke announcement, I think there has to be some clear distinction point. With the banzuke publication day as the basis, we want to head from there towards July 19th (the planned shonichi)."

The schedule for dohyo matsuri, (yusho portrait) unveiling ceremony, YDC etc. is being adjusted now: "In the project team for holding the no-audience event we will think about what is to do."

https://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202006150000558.html

[Akinomaki]

On 15/06/2020 at 20:55, Akinomaki said:

Interviewed by phone was not PR-top Shibatayama this time, the member of his department Takasaki (Kinkaiyama) talked to the press

The schedule for dohyo matsuri, (yusho portrait) unveiling ceremony, YDC etc. is being adjusted now: "In the project team for holding the no-audience event we will think about what is to do."

Takasaki has become the NSK spokesman, again it was he to be interviewed by the press on the phone, telling that the NSK has no results yet of the antibody testing.

It is exactly 1 month till shonichi, the NSK project team for holding the no-audience event will genuinely start to work next week, headed by PR top Shibatayama. (an all PR project?)

Today the government call for self restriction on movement has been lifted in all regions, but not that by the NSK: they still call for their members to stay in the heya.

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202006190000545.html

The NSK has published the 3rd compilation of 14 sekitori at home: Tamawashi, Chiyomaru, Chiyootori, Chiyonoumi, Chiyonoo, Chiyoshoma, Chiyotairyu, Churanoumi, Kizakiumi, Akiseyama, Hidenoumi, Shimanoumi, Tochiozan, Fujiazuma

Edited June 19, 2020 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki]

On 01/06/2020 at 19:04, Akinomaki said:

Starting with July 10th, events with up to 5000 spectators are allowed again, but Shibatayama repeated that the NSK first of all aims to have a basho in an empty hall.

No. 2 Oguruma confirmed that today, but also told that the NSK will watch the situation in pro-baseball for reference: they already started and from the 10th on plan to have spectators. Several days then till the basho starts on the 19th, so maybe "1 person in a masu box and then 3 empty till the next one or the like. Such things are not yet understood." http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202006220000413.html

The ban on degeiko is expected to be lifted 2 weeks before the basho, if the (medical) experts allow it - but they also might advise to cancel the basho. http://www.daily.co.jp/general/2020/06/22/0013445634.shtml

[robnplunder]

It has become apparent that COVID 19 is here to stay until the vaccine comes out.  We all have to live with the fact.  Given that, I think the July basho will and should happen albeit without the crowd.   Here's hoping it will happen (and end successfully)  despite the recent increase in the numbers for Tokyo and Japan.  

Edited June 29, 2020 by robnplunder

[Eikokurai]

1 hour ago, robnplunder said:

It has become apparent that COVID 19 is here to stay until the vaccine comes out.  We all have to live with the fact.  Given that, I think the July basho will and should happen albeit without the crowd.   Here's hoping it will happen (and end successfully)  despite the recent increase in the numbers for Tokyo and Japan.  

Yeah, I think so too. Other sports have restarted under those conditions so no reason sumo shouldn’t. Besides, there has to come a point where things restart regardless because there is only so much economic pain people can take and sumo is no different. Ensure protective measures are in place and then get things up and running again.

[Akinomaki]

On 22/06/2020 at 12:09, Akinomaki said:

The ban on degeiko is expected to be lifted 2 weeks before the basho, if the (medical) experts allow it - but they also might advise to cancel the basho.

Shibatayama still has no date in sight for the restart of degeiko. Rikishi in the shitakubeya will have to wear masks - that is what the experts so far came up with.  http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202006290000722.html

a new series at home: sekitori answer questions: Yutakayama, Takayasu 2, Myogiryu

vid vid vid vid

Sadanoumi, Takakeisho, Enho, Ishiura

vid vid vid  vid

[Gaijingai]

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/how-the-covid-pandemic-has-triggered-a-debate-on-the-weight-of-sumo-wrestlers-6485770/

[robnplunder]

Yikes!   Over 100 tested positive for the virus today in Tokyo. 

[Kaninoyama]

On 02/07/2020 at 13:26, robnplunder said:

Yikes!   Over 100 tested positive for the virus today in Tokyo. 

And again today.

[Akinomaki]

Shibatayama interviewed today: "Around next week somewhere I may be able to tell about the results of the antibody tests. They haven't arrived precisely at the kyokai yet."

About the empty basho: "The kyokai has raised it (the level of vigilance) to supreme. We continue to tell self restriction of going out. But in Kyoto there has been infection by (chugen presents etc.) parcel delivery." "Wearing masks is the number one to prevent infection. During the basho we have to take care even more. Any way, measures against infection are necessary in the kokugikan."

http://www.nikkansports.com/battle/sumo/news/202007030000641.html

Edited July 3, 2020 by Akinomaki

[robnplunder]

On 03/07/2020 at 04:16, orandashoho said:

The virus had been able to spread everywhere. Even in the countries with the most stringent lockdowns it hasn't gone away. When it can spread hiding in people who don't get ill themselves or hardly develop symptoms, how can you identify and isolate it? We might have had a chance at one time, but even the Chinese lockdown had been too little too late. If given the choice now, would you completely isolate yourself for a month for the chance to eradicate it? Maybe not, because there will be too many who would break quarantaine, too many who don't see the risk or don't care about the risk. Sadly, the disease is not deadly enough to instill enough fear in the population as a whole to make the most simple rules work. Look where this got us. 

The enemy has to be made more visible and more personal. 

True although there are nations that have done a good job even without a strict lockdown.   So, COVID 19 can be beat.   But Japan isn't one of them.  After the nation declared emergency and seemingly put the COVID 19 situation under control, I knew things would get worse without changing their strategy.   Just relying on people to combat the COVID 19 on their own hasn't worked for any nation.   Only the nations with proactive and aggressive strategy (not necessarily lockdown) have done well.   The timing of Japan's COVID 19 resurgence isn't good for the upcoming basho.   It wiil now surely start without the crowd.   Whether it can successfully finish or not is the big question.      Today, Japan reported 274 newly infected, yet another increase.   1/2 of those are people in Tokyo.  Others are infected after they visited Tokyo or from people who came from the city.   I.e, Tokyo's community spread is likely worse than the city's testing strategy shows.

[Akinomaki]

On 03/07/2020 at 20:09, Akinomaki said:

Shibatayama interviewed today: "Around next week somewhere I may be able to tell about the results of the antibody tests. They haven't arrived precisely at the kyokai yet." 

The results: other than at Takadagawa-beya, where several infections had happened, among 891 tested, affiliates of 44 heya, 5 were tested positive. Those of the 5 who had developed symptoms within the last 3 days before the test, undertook a PCR test at once, all were negative. 4 of the 5, who consented, had another PCR test later, all negative. The 1 other had a high potency of antibodies and is seen as having had an infection at least 5 months ago and being completely cured. http://hochi.news/articles/20200706-OHT1T50153.html

sekitori answer at home: Hakuho, Daiaamami, Tobizaru, Tsurugisho

vid vid vid vid

Edited July 6, 2020 by Akinomaki

[Katsunorifuji]

Admittedly I haven’t been as in the loop as much as I’de to have been over the last few weeks, but how confident are we that we’ll see a basho in the coming weeks now? It seems like the likelihood is high based on what I see but what’s the consensus here?

[robnplunder]

3 hours ago, Katsunorifuji said:

Admittedly I haven’t been as in the loop as much as I’de to have been over the last few weeks, but how confident are we that we’ll see a basho in the coming weeks now? It seems like the likelihood is high based on what I see but what’s the consensus here?

Most likely it will happen without the audience.     

Tokyo has been averaging 100 new COVID 19 cases per day for over a week now.   So, it will be interesting to see if the basho finishes without any issues.   Today, they reported 224, Tokyo's all-time daily high.

Edited July 9, 2020 by robnplunder

[rhyen]

I suppose the challenge if the basho is allowed to go on (despite a citywide lockdown) will be the transportation of rikishi, since Sadotagake, Oitekaze, Onomatsu and several other heya are located far from the epicenter of ryogoku. Remember that the rikishi were not allowed to use public transport during the Haru Basho. 
 

methink the basho will go on, unless the Tokyo governor outlaws sporting events (several pro baseball and football leagues are expected to restart, and the clubs are all in isolation).