TOKYO (AP) — Japan’s sumo association says it has canceled its tournament next month due to a match-fixing scandal.
Nobuyuki Kubota, an official for the Japan Sumo Association, said Sunday the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament from March 13-27 has been called off.
The cancellation was the first since 1946 when Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan’s main sumo venue, had to be renovated because of damage from World War II. The association said the cancellation due to a scandal was unprecedented.
The bout-rigging scandal is the latest blow for sumo, which is reeling from a string of recent embarrassing incidents, including illegal gambling and drug use among wrestlers.
