Sumo wrestler dies a month after sickening head injury
A 28-year-old sumo wrestler has died, a month after suffering a serious head injury during a bout.
Mitsuki Amano, better known by his wrestling name Hibikiryu, died of acute respiratory failure in a Tokyo hospital on Wednesday, the Japan Sumo Association confirmed.
“We pray for his soul from the bottom of our hearts,” the association said in a brief statement.
“Thank you very much for your kindness.”
Hibikiryu was flipped onto his head in the ring, and appeared to be knocked unconscious immediately.
His competitor checked on him as he lay motionless.
The sumo association has been widely criticised in Japan for its inaction immediately following his head injury.
Hibikiryu lay face down in the dirt of the ring for as many as five minutes, as medical staff moved without urgency.
He was taken to hospital but was never released.
