Corona and sumo

[Kintamayama 45,503]

The masked brigade converges on Osaka:

 

Edited February 23, 2020 by Kintamayama

[Eikokurai 3,437]

Just now, Kintamayama said:

As reported earlier, a football game was held  with 15000 spectators in Osaka with no problems. As long as the situation stays as it s in Japan, I don't see a basho cancellation.

A football match is a one-off event, not 15 consecutive days. If they start the basho and then things worsen, they may be forced to stop it without a final result. Also, it's far too early to declare there were "no problems" from this weekend's football match. Two weeks from now it could be found there was a carrier at the game.

[Kintamayama 45,503]

I have just heard that during the dohyo iri, the rikishi will be provided with keshomasukus instead of the usual keshomawashi. Each rikishi will be allowed to design his mask individually, and some have already declared they will be using the same designs they have on their keshomawashis on their masks.

Or not.

Edited February 23, 2020 by Kintamayama

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,276]

For some news

https://www.nikkansports.com/m/battle/sumo/news/202002240001048_m.html?mode=all

They are considering countermeasures to put in place to keep the basho going, including body temp monitoring and limiting traffic to the arena. Also all koenkai encouragement parties have been cancelled. Press are being asked to wear masks at Keiko.

From here on is just my opinion but, Osaka is probably the worst place for this to happen. Other basho locations can be easily isolated but Osaka one is like being on a Manhatten street. Also if any rikishi gets diagnosed with Corona, it's over. So I expect any sick seeming rikishi to be sent back to Tokyo and a lot of abcense, especially in lower div.

[ALAKTORN 346]

With how rikishi typically soldier on regardless of whatever ailments they have I half expect them to just get the whole banzuke infected and not care.

[robnplunder 976]

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

17 minutes ago, Tsuchinoninjin said:

For some news

https://www.nikkansports.com/m/battle/sumo/news/202002240001048_m.html?mode=all

They are considering countermeasures to put in place to keep the basho going, including body temp monitoring and limiting traffic to the arena. Also all koenkai encouragement parties have been cancelled. Press are being asked to wear masks at Keiko.

From here on is just my opinion but, Osaka is probably the worst place for this to happen. Other basho locations can be easily isolated but Osaka one is like being on a Manhatten street. Also if any rikishi gets diagnosed with Corona, it's over. So I expect any sick seeming rikishi to be sent back to Tokyo and a lot of abcense, especially in lower div.

If the basho happens, I expect there will be many empty seats and separating people from each other would be easy.   No more "Mitaaaakeuuuuumi" shouts.   If anyone wants to encourage their favorite rikishi, he should play a tape over and over again using a loudspeaker.  If you don't like someone sitting next to you, just cough and he will move.  Monoii conference would be something to see, five people in a black robe with a white mask talking in a whisper.   Kidding aside, it may be simpler (and safer) to have it without the crowd.   

 

[sekitori 492]

T1he NSK has three choices:

1. Hold the basho as scheduled and hope that nothing happens when 8,000 people are packed closely together for fifteen days.

2. Hold the basho, but with no live audience. 

3. Call it off and hope that the Natsu basho will be held normally. 

Option 1 is very risky and option 2 makes absolutely no sense.

Option 3 seems to be the best way to go. I agree with Morty that cancelling it and the jungyo following it will benefit many rikishis by giving those with lingering injuries a couple of months to heal and get proper treatment. 

The thought that holding the Haru basho as scheduled can lead to illness and even death for some of those who attend is a possibility that just can''t be ignored. I expect that some fans will be upset at its cancellation but I believe that the vast majority of them will accept the idea that the NSK cares about the health of the Japamese public and is doing everything possible to preserve it.

 

 

Edited February 25, 2020 by sekitori

[Eikokurai 3,437]

11 minutes ago, sekitori said:

option 2 makes absolutely no sense

That rejection seems a bit strong. Holding sporting events "behind closed doors" has plenty of precedent worldwide. Indeed, the Italian FA have said that's what they're planning for Serie A football in the coming weeks. I don't expect it for sumo, but it's not a completely mad idea.

[Dapeng 236]

If the virus spreads widely in the coming two weeks, they'll have to cancel the basho.

[Sue 520]

1 hour ago, Eikokurai said:

That rejection seems a bit strong. Holding sporting events "behind closed doors" has plenty of precedent worldwide. Indeed, the Italian FA have said that's what they're planning for Serie A football in the coming weeks. I don't expect it for sumo, but it's not a completely mad idea.

Yes, but the NSK see themselves as keepers of a uniquely Japanese tradition, not as a typical national body in international sports.

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,276]

The decision to cancel the basho or do it without the audience will come by March 1. 

The yokozuna dohyouiri at the shrine sumiyoshi taisha that was to take place in the 29th is cancelled.

[Kaminariyuki 500]

14 minutes ago, Tsuchinoninjin said:

The decision to cancel the basho or do it without the audience will come by March 1. 

The yokozuna dohyouiri at the shrine sumiyoshi taisha that was to take place in the 29th is cancelled.

Bad move, IMO - one should not neglect the Kami at a time like this...

[Eikokurai 3,437]

I’m just assuming the basho isn’t happening now. Even if it isn’t necessary to call it off (and that’s arguable) I don’t see how the kyokai can ignore the trend of cancelled events around Japan: the cosplay festival, J-League matches, all public events in Tokyo. As much as they may not want to cancel it, surely the external pressure will be too great. If they brush it off, people will wonder why the sumo can go ahead while nothing else can and that puts the Kyokai in an uncomfortable position publicly. Plus, as I said before, sumo isn’t a one-day event, but 15 days. That’s a long time to sweat over a possible outbreak. Imagine a situation where they’re forced to call it off half way without a result. Unprecedented.

Edited February 25, 2020 by Eikokurai

[Nantonoyama 252]

I agree that in terms of image, stopping a basho midway is worse than cancelling it altogether, which is arguably worse than doing it while all other sports stop.

In Italy, football games are played beyond closed doors in the North, I guess this could be applied to sumo, although the very nature of sumo implies close physical contact, where rikishi's faces are only cms apart in a big physical effort. So it can be hazardous if one wrestler is asymptomously infected I guess

[sekitori 492]

On 24/02/2020 at 17:35, Dapeng said:

If the virus spreads widely in the coming two weeks, they'll have to cancel the basho.

If the virus doesn't spread widely or even if it doesn't seem to spread at all, the wisest decision for the NSK is to emulate that of other groups planning on large crowds in the near future. That means cancelling the Haru basho. I don't know the Japanese words for the phrase "common sense", but this would an excelllent example of it. Another phrase that comes to mind is "better safe than sorry".

 

 

Edited February 26, 2020 by sekitori

[sumojoann 1,268]

Mark my words, the Haru Basho will be cancelled before it begins.

[specialweek 2 136]

March 1st , 3 choices for NSK about the running of the March Basho. As usual, no spectators, no basho. If one rikishi gets the virus cancellation also considered.

[Gaijingai 1,597]

Here is an article telling about the March 1 meeting, plus other sports’ measures. 
 

https://kfgo.com/2020/02/26/tokyo-baseball-team-to-play-in-empty-stadium-amid-coronavirus-fears/

[robnplunder 976]

Here's what Abe has to say.  

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/pickup/635230

[Eikokurai 3,437]

9 minutes ago, robnplunder said:

Here's what Abe has to say.  

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/pickup/635230

Seems pretty clear. The two-week timeframe will give some hope but I think that's as close to a "honbasho cancelled" as we need.

[robnplunder 976]

1 hour ago, Eikokurai said:

Seems pretty clear. The two-week timeframe will give some hope but I think that's as close to a "honbasho cancelled" as we need.

It is worded like a request but in Japanese lingo, I think that's more than a request.   The next basho won't happen.    

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

Japan Times - Inside Sumo:

Calling off Spring Basho would be right move for JSA

[code_number3 708]

1 hour ago, Otokonoyama said:

Japan Times - Inside Sumo:

Calling off Spring Basho would be right move for JSA

Not just haru basho, but also haru jungyo will be a very wise move by NSK. 

They acted too late when flu season occurred last Fuyu jungyo. Will NSK repeat their mistake? We hope not!

Edited February 26, 2020 by code_number3

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,276]

March 3 basho night festival (rikishi panel on stage and interact with fan) is cancelled.

March 7 dohyo consecration: general public is disinvited and sanyaku and above rikishi don't attend.

[Dapeng 236]

2 hours ago, code_number3 said:

Not just haru basho, but also haru jungyo will be a very wise move by NSK. 

They acted too late when flu season occurred last Fuyu jungyo. Will NSK repeat their mistake? We hope not!

Seems they are more cautious this time. This one should be canceled. The next one, and even the Olympic, are in danger too.