A group of sumo wrestlers, many of them wearing masks, are seen taking their luggage with them down the stairs at JR Shin-Osaka Station in Osaka, on Feb. 23, 2020. (Mainichi/Tadashi Kako)

OSAKA -- Around 180 sumo wrestlers and referees, many of whom were wearing face masks, alighted at JR Shin-Osaka Station in this western Japan city on Feb. 23 ahead of the Osaka Grand Sumo Tournament set to begin on March 8.

The group, who arrived on a shinkansen bullet train referred to as the "sumo train," have been taking extra measures to avoid the new coronavirus. The Japan Sumo Association (JSA) has also called for greater vigilance to prevent its spread.

A post on the sporting body's official website stated that preparations for the Osaka tournament, which will be held at Edion Arena Osaka, are going ahead and that it would be held as planned. The JSA has asked those attending the venue to wash their hands and gargle, to make use of hand sanitizers that will be made available on-site, and to cover the mouth and nose with a handkerchief when coughing or sneezing, among other measures.

The rankings for the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament will be announced on Feb. 24, and training at each stable's lodgings will begin in earnest.

(Japanese original by Takeshi Fujita, Osaka Sports News Department)