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TOKYO – A Japanese sumo wrestler has died a month later from falling head-on during a bout in a case that has raised questions about the sport’s reaction.
The Japan Sumo Association said 28-year-old Hibikiryu died of acute respiratory failure on Wednesday.
The wrestler, whose real name was Mitsuki Amano, was thrown by his opponent during a bout at a tournament on 26 March. The boxing video showed him falling on his head and lying face down for several minutes while Sumo officers watched and waited. Paramedics are forthcoming.
On a stretcher, the wrestler was conscious and told Sumo officials that he felt his lower body was paralyzed, but his condition was improving at the hospital, Nikan Sports reported.
The Japan Sumo Association said on Friday that it was unknown whether Hibikiryu’s death was related to his injury. It added that the details of the injury, in which he suffered paralysis, could not be released. There was no immediate comment from his family.
According to Japanese media reports, no first aid specialists stood to give him first aid. Wrestlers are expected to get up on their own, while medical specialists are not at the tournament venue, but are standing near ringside.
The association said Sumo officials are discussing ways to improve emergency medical response, including future bouts.
The ancient Japanese game, which was originally part of the Shinto religious observance, has faced calls for reforms, including its medical response and a ban on women entering the ring, which is considered sacred.
In 2018, the association was engulfed in flames after a nurse and other women demanded to leave the ring, which they had lodged to give first aid to a collapsed officer.
Hibikiru debuted in 2011 and reached 24th place in the 200-member Sandman-class, the fourth highest of Sumo’s six ranks.
Another young, low-tier sumo wrestler, Shobushi, died on May 28 after contracting coronovirus at the age of 28.
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