The oldest reference is from the 2nd century BC, over 2,000 years ago. This fight is marked by Shinto rituals – a religious manifestation that originated in Japan’s prehistory. The ceremonies that precede the fights make reference to traditions of this faith. Two myths explain the origin of sumo: it would be influenced by the observation of duels between bears on the island of Hokkaido or it would recall the challenge between the gods Takemikazuchi and Takeminakata for control of the islands off the coast of Izumo. Regular tournaments have been taking place since at least the 8th century and the circular ring appeared in the 16th century. Before that, disputes took place in any open place, and the objective was to throw the rival to the ground. Until the 17th century, sumotori (practitioners) wore more clothing than today. Since then, little has changed, and in Japan, professionals are idolized.
The style is based on projections and high-impact contacts.
TAIHO KOKI (1940-)
No athlete of the 20th century has surpassed this son of a Japanese and Ukrainian born on the island of Sakhalin. In 1961, he became the youngest yokozuna – the highest level in sumo. He is the only one to win at least one tournament a year – there were 32 titles between 1960 and 1971 – and to win six championships in a row twice
HEAVY CLIMBING
In professional sumo, fought only in Japan, 8 thousand athletes are grouped into ten levels. With each advanced level, status and salary grow. And progress is laborious: to become a yokozuna, just by winning two tournaments in a row. To date, only 69 fighters have made it to the top of the sport.
SILKY WEDDING
The mawashi, the fighters’ typical clothing, is made of silk and means that the fight is carried out without weapons, with clean hands. In addition, it is essential to apply the blows. But it’s only worth holding the side band, around the waist. When unrolled, the mawashi is 9 meters long.
The objective is to throw the opponent to the ground or out of the ring.
Tsuridashi
This one is simple and straightforward: it consists of holding the opponent by the waist, lifting him off the ground and simply carrying him out of the circle marked on the ground.
abisetaoshi
Using body weight, which can reach up to 360 kg in professional fighters, the athlete makes the opponent fall backwards to the ground. End of fight!
Uwatenage
Some sumo moves resemble judo, but none as much as this one. One fighter lifts the other and throws him over his shoulder
Resist the onslaughts and dodge at the right time guarantees victories
Hatakikomi
When the rival comes with everything, the way out is to take the body off and propel him to the ground. This dodge has already yielded several victories in important championships.
Tottari
Another efficient dodge: the fighter takes advantage of the opponent’s attacking movement to leverage and launch him away from the platform
Yaguranage
Cornered at the edge of the arena, inches from defeat, the fighter stands on tiptoe and throws his rival. There is no middle ground: if he misses the move, he loses the fight
• Fighters eat 16,000 calories a day and live ten years less than the average Japanese
• In amateur sumo, played outside of Japan, women can fight – wearing overalls. Brazil has two world titles
In general, fights last no longer than 30 seconds.
holy ground
Over the arena is a stylized roof. It is a reference to Japanese Shinto shrines. Religion is also present in the long rituals of introduction to the fights, which include the famous throwing of salt on the ground.
electronic eye
The judge is dressed like the ancient samurai and has four assistants. For the avoidance of doubt, especially if a fighter stepped outside the circle, sumo was the first sport to use videotape, back in the 1980s.
organized crowd
The gymnasiums gather up to 15,000 fans (and, in the most important fights, up to 65% of TVs on in Japan). It is an active audience, which throws the cushions in the air at the end of important fights
Sources William Takahiro Higuchi, Brazilian amateur sumo champion, Brazilian Sumo Confederation and International Sumo Federation