A Japanese sumo wrestler has died a month after touchdown on his head throughout a bout and mendacity unattended for a number of minutes, elevating recent issues concerning the care of fighters. Video of 28-year-old Hibikiryu mendacity inclined for a number of minutes earlier than receiving any medical assist prompted widespread criticism and questions on why docs weren’t current ringside. The lower-tier wrestler, whose actual identify was Mitsuki Amano, had reportedly been in hospital because the March 26 incident. He died of acute respiratory failure on Wednesday, the Japan Sumo Association stated in a press release. “May his soul relaxation in peace, and we specific our heartfelt gratitude” to him, the statement said.
Doctors at sumo bouts do not sit ringside and it is customary to wait for wrestlers to get up by themselves after being thrown or falling.
Hibikiryu was also turned over by officials, something experts pointed out should only have been done by trained medics, given the risk of a spinal injury.
The sumo association said “a causal link between the wrestler’s death and his injury is not clear at this point”.
“As to the right way to enhance emergency medical techniques, we are going to announce one thing after we formally determine it,” a spokeswoman told AFP.
Several Japanese sports dailies said the sumo association was discussing changes including stationing doctors ringside, as is the case in professional boxing.
There have not been previous reports of wrestlers dying after injuries sustained in fights, but the sport’s dangers and medical standards have been in the spotlight.
A controversy erupted during the new year tournament in January when a wrestler who had suffered a concussion was told to return to the ring, the Sports Nippon daily reported.
‘THIS IS WHAT I FEARED’
“The shock of the ‘tachiai’ (initial charge) is said to be more than a tonne. The thrill and appeal of sumo are fraught with danger,” a journalist for the paper wrote in an evaluation.
He stated one former prime wrestler had described the game as “like experiencing automobile accidents every single day”.
A series of hazing scandals, including revelations of beatings and other abuse, has also raised questions about sumo’s treatment of its fighters.
Hibikiryu’s death prompted widespread criticism of the slow medical response in the deeply traditional sport.
“This is what I feared,” tweeted Mikito Chinen, a physician and novelist.
“I couldn’t consider my eyes because the wrestler, who clearly had a excessive probability of a spinal harm… was left untreated for a number of minutes whereas they prioritised saying who had gained.”
Hideo Ito, an acupuncturist and massage therapist who has been treating sumo wrestlers for two decades, said Hibikiryu may have damaged his spine when he fell.
“He was a wonderful wrestler who always had a kind smile and was always thoughtful of others,” Ito advised AFP, calling for docs to be on standby at every bout.
The threat of critical head accidents has turn out to be a difficulty in a number of sports activities lately, together with American soccer, rugby and soccer.
Sumo’s spate of dangerous publicity lately has prompted requires reform, together with over guidelines on admitting girls into the ring.
In 2018, the Japan Sumo Association was compelled to apologise after girls who rushed to the help of an official who had collapsed in a hoop had been repeatedly advised to depart.
Sumo’s dust rings, often known as “dohyo”, are viewed as sacred in the Japanese Shinto faith and women — considered to be ritually unclean — are not allowed to enter for fear of desecrating the hallowed soil.
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