The All Japan Judo Federation is sounding a warning that an epidemic of a skin- and hair-affecting fungus may ruin the traditional Japanese martial arts of judo and sumo. “The federation has become worried about the situation,” said dermatology researcher Seitaro Hiruma of Juntendo University in Tokyo. “Now they are saying that if they leave this infection unchecked it will ruin Japanese judo.”

The culprit is Trichophyton tonsurans, a fungus that is common on human skin. Infections result in red itchy patches on the upper body. It also infects the scalp and hair, and in severe cases can cause hair loss.

More:

Japanese scratching their heads over fungus that is killing judo

Outbreak of tinea corporis gladiatorum, a fungal skin infection due to Trichophyton tonsurans, in a French high level judo team

Tinea corporis

Trichophyton tonsurans

Trichophyton tonsurans is yet another Wikipedia stub needing improvement.