Corona and sumo

[Kintamayama 45,516]

18 hours ago, Kintamayama said:

. It seems it is not a new infection, " explained Shibatayama PR man. He is asymptomatic. 

I meant the rikishi, not Shibatayama.,.

[Akinomaki 40,766]

The kokugikan will be used as a Corona vaccination facility, for about 200 vaccinations per day, adding to the about 1300 per day at other Sumida ward facilities. The NSK made an agreement about this with the administration of Sumida ward. After first health care providers, people over 65 will be vaccinated starting in April, after that people with an underlying disease and then the inhabitants of Sumida ward and the rikishi. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20210203-OYT1T50249/

Edited February 5, 2021 by Akinomaki

[Kintamayama 45,516]

4 hours ago, Akinomaki said:

The kokugikan will be used as a Corona vaccination facility, for about 200 vaccinations per day, adding to the about 1300 per day at other Sumida ward facilities. 

Errmm.. 200 per day? Wow. How many people live in Tokyo? Wow. 

[dada78641 884]

1 hour ago, Kintamayama said:

Errmm.. 200 per day? Wow. How many people live in Tokyo? Wow. 

I'm assuming this is just the number vaccinated per day in Sumida, right? Sumida has about 250k inhabitants so that would take 167 days at 1500 per day.

[Benihana 1,937]

Since we are missing further info, speculations like these are useless.

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,276]

33 minutes ago, Benihana said:

Since we are missing further info, speculations like these are useless.

I think its more the surprise how far behind the ball Japan is on vaccinations compared to pretty much every other country, especially considering 1. The Olympics, 2. The population age distribution which has been a known fact for 30 odd years. You'd think at least they'd have a strong drug/vax development program setup by now, but instead they are more likely to ban useful drugs than doing anything proactive.

I'm wondering if rikishi will be kept entirely separate as a group for the vaccination plan or if rikishi with underlying disease will be ahead of other rikishi? Corona has been unkind to people who already use CPAP on a daily basis for example.

[Kintamayama 45,516]

Kokonoe beya has started training today, including Makuuchi Chiyoshouma and Juryo Chiyoootori. They both went for tests at the KKan today. They were both found positive for the virus a few weeks  back but were asymptomatic. "It was regrettable, but since i wasn't hospitalized I was able to watch the sumo and move my body during  the Hatsu basho. I shall gambarize next basho!" declared Chiyoshouma. "It was shocking, but I shall re-gambarize!" added Chiyoootori, bouncing a bit. 16 rikishi including the Oyakata tested positive for the virus, resulting in the whole heya sitting out the January basho. The heya will be moving from Sumida ward to their new premises in Katsushika-ku before the next basho, and will begin the move on the 15th. 

 

[Kintamayama 45,516]

Haru Basho- 2  in usually 4 people masu seats, 5000 spectators a day max. Doors will open at 1 PM. The regular seats- one empty space in each direction. Tamari seats start from row 4 with one empty space between them and will be sold to the public (as usual..). Masks obligatory, no alcohol on sale, special food area, no cheering, only clapping. Tickets go on sale on February 28th 10 am JST on the website Ticket Ozumo and by phone starting March 7th  at 10:00 am JST. No lottery and no Conbini sales . As for same- day ticket sales at the venue, no decision yet.

[Kintamayama 45,516]

Vaccinations to begin at the KKan, which will become a vaccine center. Not only Kyokai members, but health-care people (doctors etc..), people with chronic illnesses and the elderly ward residents as well. "We are in talks with the Sumida ward health officials. We haven't gotten into details about the hows and whens, but domestic vaccinations begin tomorrow  so we need to discuss particulars now.  We have begun some discussions already. When we have a concrete schedule, I will let you know, " said Shibatayama Oyakata.

[Akinomaki 40,766]

On 05/02/2021 at 12:12, Akinomaki said:

The kokugikan will be used as a Corona vaccination facility, for about 200 vaccinations per day, adding to the about 1300 per day at other Sumida ward facilities. The NSK made an agreement about this with the administration of Sumida ward. After first health care providers, people over 65 will be vaccinated starting in April, after that people with an underlying disease and then the inhabitants of Sumida ward and the rikishi. http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/national/20210203-OYT1T50249/

The planned schedule is: the over 65 year old Sumida ward citizens and oyakata to be vaccinated in the last 3rd of April, the oyakata and rikishi and ward citizens with an underlying disease in the last 3rd of Mai. http://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2021021600868&g=spo

Those with a BMI indicating obesity are grouped in the underlying disease category, and most rikishi are classified as that. http://mainichi.jp/articles/20210216/k00/00m/040/186000c

It is undecided yet, if the rikishi from heya located outside of Sumida ward will be vaccinated at the kokugikan. http://www.sankei.com/sports/news/210216/spo2102160017-n1.html

Edited February 16, 2021 by Akinomaki

[Kintamayama 45,516]

And here we go again. Six Makushita and under rikishi were found positive with the virus today.  One was found positive yesterday after running a fever, those who came in close contact were immediately checked, and five others were found positive, no virus symptoms for them, and are quarantined at the heya. Heya name not disclosed. "This will not affect the coming Kyokai training sessions (February 20th). Those participating will undergo tests on the 19th," said Shibatayama Oyakata.

Edited February 17, 2021 by Kintamayama

[themistyseas 242]

58 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

Six Makushita and under rikishi were found positive with the virus today.  One was found positive yesterday after running a fever, those who came in close contact were immediately checked, and five others were found positive, no virus symptoms for them, and are quarantined at the heya. Heya name not disclosed. 

Maybe I'm being old fashioned here, but....

Unless this heya is some kind of massive complex, given that makushita and under rikishi generally all share a big room, where on earth are these guys going to be quarantined that would insulate the (presumptive) other rikishi in the heya?

Maybe it's a heya with no sekitori, or a sekitori who lives elsewhere, or a heya with only six rikishi... but surely this seems like a bit like throwing a match on a pile of dry leaves? Unless I'm missing something which is totally possible and maybe even likely, there must be a better way to handle the quarantine

* I'm obviously not directing this line of inquisition at 金玉山, I'm just bewildered
** Also I don't truly expect the NSK to have a "rational" policy though I would have expected maybe a little bit better by this stage of the pandemic

[dingo 1,294]

57 minutes ago, themistyseas said:

Maybe I'm being old fashioned here, but....

Unless this heya is some kind of massive complex, given that makushita and under rikishi generally all share a big room, where on earth are these guys going to be quarantined that would insulate the (presumptive) other rikishi in the heya?

Maybe it's a heya with no sekitori, or a sekitori who lives elsewhere, or a heya with only six rikishi... but surely this seems like a bit like throwing a match on a pile of dry leaves? Unless I'm missing something which is totally possible and maybe even likely, there must be a better way to handle the quarantine

* I'm obviously not directing this line of inquisition at 金玉山, I'm just bewildered
** Also I don't truly expect the NSK to have a "rational" policy though I would have expected maybe a little bit better by this stage of the pandemic

I guess the toilets and shower rooms of that particular heya will be occupied for the next two weeks. 

[Kintamayama 45,516]

2 hours ago, themistyseas said:

Maybe I'm being old fashioned here, but....

Unless this heya is some kind of massive complex, given that makushita and under rikishi generally all share a big room etc. 
 

Indeed, the plan is to send all future infected to a designated hotel from now on。Well  observed. That being said, they seem to have been doing OK with their system till now. 

[Akinomaki 40,766]

Kokonoe-oyakata had suffered from a serious condition with pneumonia as a result of the Corona infection. He was hospitalized on the 20th last month: "After talking for 10 seconds, I had to cough for about 5 minutes", his wife had been told on the phone 'The next 3 days are critical'. http://www.daily.co.jp/general/2021/02/18/0014089322.shtml

[Gaijingai 1,597]

https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/02/6b6a15af6613-sumo-coronavirus-hit-wrestlers-step-up-preparations-for-march-meet.html

[Akinomaki 40,766]

On 18/02/2021 at 15:29, Akinomaki said:

Kokonoe-oyakata had suffered from a serious condition with pneumonia as a result of the Corona infection. He was hospitalized on the 20th last month: "After talking for 10 seconds, I had to cough for about 5 minutes", his wife had been told on the phone 'The next 3 days are critical'.

"If the oxygen level (in the blood) during that 3 days would drop, it would be dangerous." Kokonoe slept for 18 hours a day and waited for recovery: "All along I did not use an oxygen mask, but would have had to, if the level had dropped. It was pretty dangerous." "It was severe. My lung was pale white." After he escaped the danger, he at once left hospital, spent the days in isolation at the heya and recovered. At present neither he, nor any of the rikishi has after-effects.

About the fear of the virus

"One should absolutely not get it. Because once infected, smokers get into a really severe condition." "Pneumonia is in the final stage of Corona. First when infected, it's like nothing has happened. Nothing is really bad, a bit of a sore throat and dry nose, that' it. Who then smokes gets pneumonia in the final stage and some also die. So those who got Corona and were dead after 2 weeks had pneumonia in the end and died. I understood that from my own experience."

He first tested negative and then on Jan. 18th positive. He doesn't know when he got infected. "At first I didn't know, is something dry or is it hay fever or the like. The nose and the throat was dry, so just lets gargle, like that. When I then got tested, the result was positive, and in the final stage and I immediately got pneumonia. So I just was 4 days in hospital. It's important at what point you get infected. So you can't stay in hospital till you have fully recovered, that's fix. Even if you want to be in hospital longer, it is not allowed."

http://www.daily.co.jp/general/2021/02/18/0014088865.shtml

Edited February 20, 2021 by Akinomaki

[Akinomaki 40,766]

Tomozuna-oyakata spoke to the press about the Corona kyujo. 1 makushita or below rikishi was positive and in hospital, but without symptoms, and the whole heya had to sit out the basho: "The poor boy, he wept 'It's my fault'"

Those who don't live in the heya like Kaisei were no longer allowed in - Kaisei gained weight because he couldn't train properly at home, doing shiko stamping and  push-ups, but mainly games. Recently married and thus no quarrels yet - his wife, while doing translation work, also loves games and manga and is an indoor type and spent the whole time at his side. o

The others used the keiko ground time separated, did the basics with masks, but refrained from keiko bouts and butsukari-geiko. o

[Kintamayama 45,516]

Hakuhou tells the story of how he found out he had the virus. “I was training for Hatsu. I told myself I better increase the number of training bouts as the basho was nearing. I decided I wanted to do about twenty training bouts, but after ten I was totally out of breath. I found that strange. Then I heard Enhou complaining about the smell of the rice, which he didn’t like. I could smell nothing. That’s when it dawned on me that perhaps I was ill,” he said. He then went for a PCR test and was found positive. He was hospitalized for nine days. “I was totally surprised. I had the virus? Me?? ”  he mused. He was put in a hidden room and spent most of the time reading. “I was going nuts in there and just wanted out,” he added. His condition gradually became better and he was finally released during Hatsu basho. He has resumed sumo training since last week. As for his body, he says it’s beginning to get better. “Being hospitalized and not being able to move my body invited the old wounds and pains back. My muscles have slackened and now need rebuilding. As for the Kyokai sessions, I really don’t know to what extent I will be able to take part. It’s all up to the recovery of my body and my feeling and if they come together I would like to train with the sekitori, but I will be taking a very cautious approach to things,” he explained. 
The March basho will be held in Tokyo. “That’s a first for me.. I will be celebrating my 36th birthday in Tokyo for the first time in ten years.. I like first times. I hope to show good results and prove that even now the Yokozunae are still capable of doing well.. That should encourage us to do our best and gambarize ” he summed.

Edited February 22, 2021 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 45,516]

On 17/02/2021 at 09:57, Kintamayama said:

And here we go again. Six Makushita and under rikishi were found positive with the virus today.  One was found positive yesterday after running a fever, those who came in close contact were immediately checked, and five others were found positive, no virus symptoms for them, and are quarantined at the heya. Heya name not disclosed. "This will not affect the coming Kyokai training sessions (February 20th). Those participating will undergo tests on the 19th," said Shibatayama Oyakata.

Eight more Makushita and under from the same heya found guilty today. Grand total of 14. Must be a large heya. Still unnamed.

[WAKATAKE 2,671]

44 minutes ago, Kintamayama said:

Eight more Makushita and under from the same heya found guilty today. Grand total of 14. Must be a large heya. Still unnamed.

My wild guess is Sadogatake, Kise, or Shikihide

[Akinomaki 40,766]

My guess is a heya without sekitori, so rather Shikihide - they had no contact with rikishi from other heya o, Shikihide is far away from other heya.

But we soon may get no info anymore even if sekitori or oyakata get infected, Shibatayama declared today that thinking of the families, they consider changing that information policy http://mainichi.jp/articles/20210222/k00/00m/050/226000c

[Kamitsuumi 402]

Fourteen rikishi without sekitori narrows it down to Oguruma, Onoe, Shikihide, Shikoroyama, Musashigawa, and Yamahibiki.

[themistyseas 242]

6 minutes ago, Kamitsuumi said:

Fourteen rikishi without sekitori narrows it down to Oguruma, Onoe, Shikihide, Shikoroyama, Musashigawa, and Yamahibiki.

Onoe (Ryuko) and Oguruma (Yago) both have guys in Juryo (though I don't know if it implied the stable had no sekitori, just that no sekitori had been infected in that stable - yet?).

I really hope it isn't Sadogatake (which certainly has both the numbers to be plausible and the geographical isolation from other stables), if only because it would bring a truly unfortunate irony to the Kotokantetsu situation.

1 hour ago, Akinomaki said:

 But we soon may get no info anymore even if sekitori or oyakata get infected, Shibatayama declared today that thinking of the families, they consider changing that information policy 

A point well made on a personal level, but still kind of a weird one as we get closer to the next basho and potentially some stable (not necessarily this one) is going to have to be totally kyujo. Maybe the idea is just to make a full kyujo announcement closer to show time, and that's all we get? 

[Tsuchinoninjin 1,276]

Or the whole-beya kyujo is grinding their gears so they don't force those heya to go kyujo anymore, and separate out rikishi with negative PCR.