Like virtually every other sport in the world, sumo has been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Tournaments, regional tours and other events have been repeatedly postponed or even canceled outright, while meets that did go ahead saw attendances significantly reduced in order to comply with various state-of-emergency guidelines.
Several high-profile wrestlers and coaches have also been suspended or fired for breaches of curfews and lockdowns imposed by the Japan Sumo Association in the wake of the coronavirus-related death of 28-year-old rikishi Shobushi.