Sumo Trivia: Among the Big Boys Now

greatreporter.com, October 5th, 2007

The National Sport of Japan

Sumo wrestling is one of the oldest of the martial arts, the first recorded contest having taken place in 23BC. The matches were dedicated to the Shinto gods and formed part of the prayers for a good harvest. Sumo was a more gladiatorial game in its early years and was sometimes fought to the death.

They might not look it, but the sumotori (Sumo wrestlers) are a rigorously trained bunch. Beginning their apprenticeship at 15, the sumotori build and maintain their body mass through eating rice and "chanko nabe", a protein-rich stew. Great weight is essential as it gives the sumotori a low centre of gravity, making him more difficult to budge.

A Sumo match is a matter of pomp and ceremony. The first to enter are the judges, or "yokozuna", who are themselves Sumo champions. They are accompanied by personal attendants and sword bearers. The referee himself carries a dagger, which is a throwback to the days when a referees would disembowel themselves if they made a mis-call.

The two contestants begin the match with a purification ritual which involves throwing salt into the air and washing their mouths with water. They then begin an "eye-battle", which involves throwing menacing looks and punching the ground with their fists.

The aim of Sumo wrestling is to either push your opponent out of the 12ft playing area or to force him to touch the ground with something other than his soles. One of the key tactics is the slapping of an opponent into submission. A match usually lasts from a few seconds to a minute.

Sumo wrestling may be about strength and power, but good manners and dignity are also an integral part of the game. A John McEnroe or Alex Higgins wouldn't get far here, as wrestlers are ranked by their behaviour as well as by wins.

One of the most popular players in recent times has been Mainoumi . Nicknamed "Mighty Mouse" on account of his small size, he resorted to having silicone implanted into his head so he could fulfil the height restrictions imposed on wrestlers. This gives some indication of how esteemed the sport is in Japan .