Professional sumo wrestlers will hold a two-day exhibition tournament in South Korea this summer, officials said Wednesday, marking the first time Japan's national sport has been performed in that country.
The tournament is to be held June 14-15 in Seoul, according to Makoto Tsuchida of the Education Ministry, which is backing the event along with the Japan Sumo Association.
Although professional sumo exhibitions have been held in many countries, including China in 1973, this will be the first in South Korea, officials said.
Also in sumo news:
Ozeki Tochiazuma, currently out of action with a shoulder injury, said Wednesday he will skip the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka next month and bid to make a comeback in May.
"I'll rest in March and aim for May," said Tochiazuma, who pulled out of the New Year meet last month with a dislocated left shoulder after losing all of his first five bouts to rank-and-filers.