Sumo welcomed its first spectators in six months when the doors were opened Sunday for the opening day of the July Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo.
As part of its countermeasures against the coronavirus, the Japan Sumo Association limited the number of spectators to 2,500 per day -- one-fourth of capacity -- for the tournament, which is usually held in Nagoya but was specially moved to Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan.
The move was to negate the necessity for travel and lodging for the large number of wrestlers and staff.
For the tournament, the association has requested that spectators refrain from cheering on the wrestlers vocally, and limit their support to applause.
Additionally, acrylic partitions have been set up in the section of the dressing rooms where the wrestlers prepare for bouts. Notice boards around the arena instruct fans on proper etiquette for watching bouts and call for frequent hand-washing. Disinfectant dispensers are set up at various locations.
Stickers on the floors encourage people to maintain distance while waiting on line for shops and in front of restrooms.
"We're sorry for having to impose such regulations, but these are meant to protect our guests," stablemaster Oguruma (former ozeki Kotokaze), general manager of tournament operations, said in a telephone interview. "We ask for their cooperation."
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