Sumo wrestler died at the age of twenty-eight in Japan after infection with the emerging corona virus and several members of his body failed, becoming the first victim of the virus in the traditional sport in the country, according to the local federation announced.
After suffering from the virus more than a month ago, Shubushi, the lower-level wrestler and member of the Takadagawa team, died in Tokyo on Wednesday.
The wrestler suffered from a rise in temperature on the 4th and 5th of last April, but he had problems communicating with the Public Health Authority office because the phone lines were constantly occupied, according to what the Sumo Association indicated in a statement.
After refusing to receive him from several hospitals, he was finally admitted to a hospital in Tokyo on the evening of April 8, after spitting blood from his mouth while coughing.
The result of the first "Covid-19" examination was subjected to negativity, but the second came positive on April 10, after he was transferred to another hospital, where he was placed in intensive care on the 19th of the same month.
"We cannot find words that describe the broken hearts of his family," said union leader Hakako.
"It was very painful for him to face illness for more than a month, but as a sumo wrestler, he persevered, stood up and endured until the end ... We hope he lies in peace now."
The results of a few gladiators in the lower classes and the trainees are positive, in addition to the sumo team manager in Japan.
The pandemic forced the federation to cancel its next tournament, which was due this month.
One course was canceled once in half a century, in 2011 due to a scandal rigging results.
The "Basho" Spring Championship was held in Osaka last March without fans, while some referees surrounded the wrestlers in an empty hall.
The event was broadcast live on the official channel, where the feet of gladiators were heard on the muddy ground.
Some rituals have been modified along the lines of the traditional water scoop given by the winner to the next participant on the track.
There are six annual sessions across Japan, and the federation hopes to organize the next tournament behind closed doors.
The spread of the virus was relatively limited in Japan compared to other countries, and it claimed 668 deaths out of 16,000 cases, but the government declared a state of emergency in various parts of the country.