Tennis star Osaka Naomi will return to the Western & Southern Open on Friday, reversing her decision to withdraw from the tournament in protest of the recent police shooting of a black man in the US state of Wisconsin.
The tournament's organizer said Osaka decided to take part in the event again at the request of the Women's Tennis Association and the US Tennis Association. It says she determined that she could more strongly express her protest if she returns to the court.
An event to pray for the safety and success of the July Grand Sumo Tournament was held on Saturday at an arena in Tokyo. Only a limited number of sumo officials were allowed to attend due to the coronavirus threat.
Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku and other stable masters were among those who showed up at the Ryogoku Kokugikan hall.
The Japan Sumo Association is set to cancel its May tournament as the government is preparing to extend the nationwide state of emergency for the coronavirus outbreak until the end of the month.
Multiple sources said that it is difficult for the association to go ahead with the summer grand tournament while the state of emergency is in effect.
In the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament, Yokozuna Grand Champion Hakuho clinched his 44th title, beating fellow grand champion Kakuryu on Sunday.
The two Mongolian Yokozuna wrestlers had entered the final day of the Osaka tournament with 12 wins and 2 losses each. Hakuho had previously won 41 bouts against Kakuryu and lost eight.
The organizers of Japan's annual spring invitational high school baseball tournament have canceled this year's event amid the spread of the new coronavirus.
The organizers planned to hold the popular event at Koshien Stadium in Hyogo Prefecture, western Japan, without spectators in response to the outbreak.
The Spring Grand Sumo Tournament opened on Sunday in Osaka, western Japan, without spectators as part of measures to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus.
Wrestlers and stable masters arrived at the gymnasium by car or taxi. They were told to refrain from using trains, buses and other public transportation to avoid catching the virus.