A new indoor sumo stadium with a seating capacity of 20,000 is being planned in Asakusa. Construction work will begin next month and the building is expected to be completed in time for the spring bouts in January next year. The "sports palace" will be made available for other indoor athletic events.
    Meanwhile, the Japan Sumo Association announced that the regular summer tournament will be held for 11 days from May 13 in Tokyo while the regular autumn tournament is set for Osaka or Nishinomiya from October 15 also for 11 days.
    In the Nishinomiya tournament now in its ninth day, Grand Champion Haguroyama is continuing his winning ways with eight wins and no defeats.