No. 5 maegashira Abi was pulled out of the July Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday after it was discovered that he defied coronavirus protocols and met a friend at an outside restaurant.
Stablemaster Shikoroyama made the decision at the midway point of the tournament being held at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The Japan Sumo Association set strict protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus at the tournament, including that everyone involved must exercise self-restraint in going outside for any reason other than an emergency.
"Because of this, he must not have any contact with any other wrestler," said Shibatayama (former yokozuna Onokuni, head of the JSA's public relations. "I want him to think about what is going on in the world."
As the reason for his withdrawal before his scheduled bout on Saturday, it was announced as due to illness.
Abi himself has shown no changes in his physical condition, but for the time being will be placed in self-quarantine. He will remain out of the tournament until returning negative results in antigen and PCR testing.
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