Yokozuna Hakuho is still unbeaten after capturing his ninth straight win at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament on Monday.
Hakuho had little trouble dispatching No. 5 maegashira Ryuden (4-5) on Day 9 of the event. Тhe competition is held behind closed doors at Edion Arena Osaka as an emergency measure by the Japan Sumo Association in response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
No. 15 Chiyomaru, who pulled out with a fever a day earlier, recorded a temperature of over 37.5 degrees Celsius for at least two straight days and consented to being tested for the virus, reports Japan Times.
According to the JSA’s crisis management director, Chiyomaru’s temperature rose to 40 degrees on Monday morning and the 28-year-old was taken to a city hospital, where he was told his fever was likely caused by a bacterial skin infection.
In other Day 9 bouts, the two men on Hakuho’s heels each earned their eighth victories of the tournament to remain one win off the pace.
No. 13 Aoiyama from Bulgaria steamrolled No. 11 Chiyotairyu (6-3), while No. 9 Takanosho turned No. 7 Tamawashi (2-7) around and pushed him out.
