Life-saving women told to leave sumo ring

April 5, 2018

Tokyo- A professional sumo referee has told women who stepped onto a sumo ring to provide first aid for a mayor to leave the ring, according to the Japan Sumo Association.

On Wednesday, several women tried to give emergency treatment to Maizuru Mayor Ryozo Tatami, who collapsed during his speech on the ring for a regional sumo tour in the city of Kyoto Prefecture, western Japan.

The referee requested several times these women to get out of the ring over the public address system, the association said the same day.

Sumo has a tradition of prohibiting women from entering rings.

"The referee was upset when making the requests, but it was an inappropriate response in a critical situation," Chairman Hakkaku said. "We offer our deep apologies."

"We are truly grateful to the women who took emergency measures promptly," Hakkaku added.

In 2000, the association drew criticism for declining to allow then Osaka Governor Fusae Ota to become the first woman to hand over the governor's prize on a ring to the winner of a regional sumo tour. Jiji Press