Last week News18 reported that the Japanese Sumo Association (JSA) had instituted new regulations in an attempt to clean up the image of the centuries-old sport. Top of the JSA’s targets for things which need to be banned: beards.
A JSA spokesperson spoke to Agence France-Presse about the new laws. “It was stipulated that items such as long nails, tattoos and beards grown out of an excessive wish for good luck shall be banned.”
“Wrestlers must preserve their personal hygiene,” added the spokesperson. “Officials and referees will be on the lookout.