Sumo wrestling is a national obsession in Japan, and is followed by millions of fans on national television. It has the same profile as rugby league or AFL in Australia, and the master Sumo wrestlers, or Yokozuna, are revered as sporting heroes.

Basic Rules of Sumo

The object is to force your opponent out of the ring (dohyo) or to make any part of his body (excepting the soles of the feet) touch the playing surface. The loser is the first wrestler to have any part of the body other than the soles of his feet touch the ground or to leave the ring before his opponent. The combatants cannot pull hair, gouge eyes, or strike with a closed fist. Pushing, tripping, slapping and various body throws are commonly seen in Sumo. The fights themselves usually last only a few seconds and in rare cases up to one minute or more.

The Sumo (Rikishi)

On average, Sumos weigh around 153k and stand about 183cm tall. Most elite wrestlers are highly trained athletes aged 20 to 35 years old. They belong to teams and live communally in a lifestyle that is completely dedicated to the sport.

At the top of the Sumo wrestlers' hierarchy stands the Yokozuna, or grand champion. Only 65 men have held this rank. At the moment there are two Yokozuna, Musashimaru and Asashoryu.

High ranking Sumos wear thick silk belts of various colours; lower levels wear black cotton. Because strength and size are key factors to success, Sumos eat large quantities of a special, protein-rich stew packed with fish or meat and vegetables.

Female Sumo wrestlers

In our segment, Don visited the gym of the Nihon University in Tokyo, to see female Sumo wrestlers in action. In professional ranks, women are forbidden from even stepping into a ring, let alone wrestling. However, in recent years females have taken up the sport and compete at the amateur level.

Copyright CTC Productions 2003