The Japan Sumo Association said Monday that a specialized agency is expected to soon report the results of antibody tests conducted on all members of the association, including wrestlers and stablemasters, to check their history of infection with the new coronavirus.
The association intends to consult with experts on infectious diseases to compile new guidelines for infection-prevention measures based on the report, in preparation for the July tournament, which opens at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on July 19.
According to Koichi Oguruma, the former ozeki Kotokaze, the general manager of the association's business division, who was interviewed by the press, the plan is to prepare for the event by referring to examples such as the professional baseball games that have already begun.
Although Nippon Professional Baseball and soccer's J.League have indicated that they plan to admit spectators from July 10, Oguruma, who is also in charge of Tokyo tournaments, said the association intends to hold the July tournament without spectators. He prefaced that there would be no change and said: "If experts say at a board meeting that spectators could come in, that may happen. The final decision will depend on the experts." Thus, he hinted at the possibility of admitting spectators, albeit on a limited basis.
Some members of the association, who complained of high fever and other symptoms during the antibody test, were also subjected to PCR testing at the same time, Oguruma said.
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