SUMO
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SUMO
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Sumo is a uniquely Japanese kind of wrestling and Japan's national sport. It originated in ancient times as religious performances to the Shinto gods. Nowadays, still many rituals are followed.
The basic rules of sumo are simple: The wrestler who either touches the floor with something else than his sole or leaves the ring before his opponent, loses. The fights themselves usually last only a few seconds while the ritual preparations that are performed before each fight last much longer. Six tournaments are held every year. Each one lasts for 15 days. Three tournaments are held in Tokyo, and one each in Fukuoka, Osaka and Nagoya. On the top of the Sumo hierarchy stands the Yokozuna. At the moment there are two Yokozuna: Takanohana and Akebono. Once a wrestler reached the rank of Yokozuna, he cannot lose it anymore. The elite wrestlers are highly trained athletes and, therefore, between about 18 and 35 years old. Besides working out, the wrestlers are eating an enormous amount of rice and go to bed right after eating in order to gain mass. The wrestlers are living in special sumo houses where the rules are very strict. Sumo is very popular, and the tournaments are broadcasted live on television. Some top wrestlers have a status that is comparable to the one of a Hollywood star: they are popular among women and earn much money. |
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 SUMO
WRESTLERS
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November 8, 1997
In Deutsch | all copyrights by Schauwecker's Guide to Japan |
