Section 8: Safety Considerations
Professional sumo's injury profile: severe limb fractures (especially knees), neck injuries from being thrown, shoulder + back strain from grappling at high body weights (rikishi often 130-200+ kg). Nihon Sumo Kyokai provides on-site medical at every basho: ringside physician, paramedic team, ambulance + ER partnership with Tokyo hospitals. Concussion protocol: rikishi removed from basho if KO-suspected; medical clearance required for return. Specific protocol for falls off the elevated dohyo (~50 cm drop into the front row, occasional spectator + rikishi injury). Annual heya medical inspections + rikishi physical assessments. Long-term health monitoring (rikishi face elevated risk of cardiovascular disease + Type-2 diabetes from sumo diet + body composition).