A handful of lower-ranking sumo wrestlers, trainees and a stable master have contracted coronavirus in Japan [COURTESY]A 28-year-old sumo wrestler died in Japan on Wednesday after contracting coronavirus and suffering multiple organ failure, becoming the ancient sport's first COVID-19 fatality, the national association said. He developed a fever over April 4-5 but had trouble contacting the local public health office because phone lines were constantly busy, the Sumo Association said in a statement. Sumo association chief Hakkaku, who uses a single name, said the news was devastating. "It must have been so very painful to fight the disease for over a month but, like a sumo wrestler, he persevered and endured, fighting to the very end," Hakkaku said. A handful of low-ranking wrestlers and trainees as well as a sumo stable master have tested positive for the virus in Japan.

Source: Standard Digital May 13, 2020 06:22 UTC