Sumo

Sumo (相撲)
A sumo match (tori-kumi) between yokozuna Asashōryū (left) and komusubi Kotoshōgiku in January 2008
FocusClinch fighting
HardnessFull contact
Country of originJapan
Ancestor artsTegoi
Descendant artsJujutsu, Jieitaikakutōjutsu
Olympic sportNo, but IOC recognized
Official websitewww.sumo.or.jp/En/
Sumo
Highest governing bodyInternational Sumo Federation (Amateur)
Japan Sumo Association (Professional)
First playedJapan, mid-17th century (Edo period)
Characteristics
ContactYes
Team membersNo
Mixed-sexYes (Amateur, separate divisions)
No (Professional, men only)
TypeGrappling sport
EquipmentMawashi
VenueDohyō
GlossaryGlossary of sumo terms
Presence
Country or regionWorldwide (Amateur)
Japan (Professional)
OlympicNo
ParalympicNo
World Games2001 (invitational)
20052022
Sumo
"Sumo" in kanji
Japanese name
Kanji相撲
Transcriptions
Romanizationsumō

Sumo (Japanese: 相撲, Hepburn: sumō, Japanese pronunciation: [ˈsɯmoː], lit.'striking one another')[1] is a form of competitive full-contact wrestling where a rikishi (wrestler) attempts to force his opponent out of a circular ring (dohyō) or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of his feet (usually by throwing, shoving or pushing him down).

Sumo originated in Japan, the only country where it is practised professionally and where it is considered the national sport.[2][3] It is considered a gendai budō, which refers to modern Japanese martial arts, but the sport has a history spanning many centuries. Many ancient traditions have been preserved in sumo, and even today the sport includes many ritual elements, such as the use of salt purification, from Shinto.

Life as a wrestler is highly regimented, with rules regulated by the Japan Sumo Association. Most sumo wrestlers are required to live in communal sumo training stables, known in Japanese as heya, where all aspects of their daily lives—from meals to their manner of dress—are dictated by strict kyara tradition. The lifestyle has a negative effect on their health, with sumo wrestlers having a much lower life expectancy than the average Japanese man.

From 2008 to 2016, a number of high-profile controversies and scandals rocked the sumo world, with an associated effect on its reputation and ticket sales. These have also affected the sport's ability to attract recruits.[4] Despite this setback, sumo's popularity and general attendance has rebounded due to having multiple yokozuna (or grand champions) for the first time in a number of years and other high-profile wrestlers grabbing the public's attention.[5]

  1. ^ "Sumo". Archived from the original on June 9, 2020. Retrieved May 15, 2020.
  2. ^ "What Is Sumo?". Kids Web Japan. Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Archived from the original on May 18, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2020.
  3. ^ "Yoroku: The pride of Japan's 'national sport'". The Mainichi. January 25, 2016. Archived from the original on December 30, 2022. Retrieved December 30, 2022.
  4. ^ "Decline in apprentices threatens future of national sport". Asahi Shimbun. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  5. ^ "Revival of sumo's popularity" (in Japanese). Saga Shinbun. Archived from the original on January 5, 2015. Retrieved December 8, 2014.