Overview
Shobushi Kanji (勝武士 幹士), born Kiyotaka Suetake (末武 清孝) and originally registered as Kiyotaka Ōmori (大森 清孝) on 4 November 1991, was a Japanese professional sumo wrestler. He came from Kōfu in Yamanashi Prefecture and competed on the professional circuit in Japan. His death on 13 May 2020, at age 28, after a confirmed infection with the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) was widely reported and prompted concern within the sumo community and the wider public.
Early life and career
Shobushi was born and raised in Kōfu, a city in Yamanashi Prefecture known for its mountain scenery. He entered professional sumo as a young man and adopted the ring name (shikona) Shobushi Kanji for competition. Like many rikishi, he trained and competed in Japan's multi-division structure, taking part in tournaments organized by the Japan Sumo Association. He was known in reports as a dedicated competitor who represented his hometown on the national stage.
Illness, confirmation and death
In early 2020 Shobushi was reported to have contracted COVID-19; media outlets identified him as the first professional sumo wrestler confirmed to be infected. He was subsequently hospitalized in Tokyo and his condition deteriorated. On 13 May 2020 he died at the age of 28 in Tokyo. His death was notable both because of his role as a public sports figure and because reports suggested he was among the youngest people in Japan to die from the disease, with some coverage describing him as possibly the first person in their 20s in the country to succumb to the illness.
Impact and legacy
Shobushi's illness and passing intensified scrutiny of infection risks in professional sports and within sumo stables, which involve close contact and shared living spaces. His case prompted temporary suspensions of activities and raised public discussion about athlete health and infection control. In remembering Shobushi, commentators emphasized his youth and the human cost of the outbreak for communities beyond the usual focus on high-risk groups.
Notable facts
- Ring name: Shobushi Kanji; birth name: Kiyotaka Suetake (also recorded as Kiyotaka Ōmori).
- Birthplace: Kōfu, Yamanashi Prefecture.
- Reports identified him as the first professional sumo wrestler confirmed to have COVID-19 and one of the youngest reported fatalities in Japan during the early phase of the pandemic.
For official details on sumo careers and records consult resources maintained by the sport's governing bodies and verified news reports documenting the events of 2020.