Wednesday, 20 January 2021
The Japan Sambo Championships and Russian President s Cup have been postponed until July 25, when the Olympics are due to be underway, because of coronavirus concerns.
Japanese capital Tokyo is due to stage the sambo competition, but is currently under a state of emergency due to rising coronavirus case numbers.
Japan has now recorded more than 340,000 total cases and in excess of 4,600 deaths.
Tokyo Prefecture has reported more than 88,000 total cases - more than double any other.
Nobuyuki Asai, vice-president of the Japanese Sambo Federation and a senior tournament organiser, told Russia s state news agency
TASS that July 25 had been chosen as the new date for the event, replacing February 7, due to he health situation.
Japan Sambo Championships to be held in February despite COVID-19 threat Thursday, 14 January 2021
The annual Japanese Sambo Championships, is still set to be held in Tokyo on February 7, despite the state of emergency declared in the city due to COVID-19. The date of the tournament falls on the last day of the emergency regime, said Nobuyuki Asai, the vice-president of the Japanese Sambo Federation and chairman of the Executive Committee for the tournament, according to
TASS, Russia s official state news agency. Despite this, the competitions will be held as planned. Moreover, they will be organised without spectators.
There is set to be seven weight categories for men at the Championships, but women will not take part in the tournament.