Sumo is a mode of full-contact wrestling bout, the place your purpose is to push your opponent (sumo wrestler, rikishi) out of the Sumo ring or to power him to the touch the bottom with any physique half apart from the soles of his ft.
Sumo was created in Japan, the place skilled sumo can also be thought-about Japan’s nationwide sport. These days, there are various conventional parts in sumo, for instance, salt purification.
The lives {of professional} sumo wrestlers are adopted by the strict ruleset, which is issued by Japan Sumo Affiliation. Wrestlers reside in a communal sumo coaching secure, the place each single second of their days is completely deliberate. And sure, weight acquire issues loads!
This text will deal with the Sumo grand champion, historical past, rating hierarchy, tournaments, and the weather of this sport exterior of Japan (principally in Hawaii). Let’s get to know this particular model of hand handy fight!
Etymology
The phrase sumo refers back to the verb sumau/sumafu, which implies “compete” or “combat”. It is part of the expression sumai no sechi (相撲の節), a contest from the Heian interval.
The characters from sumai, or sumō in the present day, imply “to strike one another”. In Japan, the phrase sumo means “to wrestle” or “wrestling”. For instance, the time period for the game of Japan Sumo Affiliation is ōzumō (大相撲), or, in literal translation, “grand Sumo”.
Historical past
Some prehistoric work allude that Sumo originates from an agricultural dance within the honor of the nice harvest.
The primary point out of this phrase occurred in 712 when the legendary possession of Japanese islands was determined in a bout between Takemikazuchi (God of thunder, swordsmanship, and conquest) and Takeminakata (God of water, searching, wind, and agriculture), the place Takemikazuchi gained in a hand handy fight.
The primary sumo bout between mortals occurred again in 23 BC when Nomi no Sukune ultimately killed Taima no Kuehaya in a bout, which makes him the mythological ancestor of the game trademarked by the round ring. Till the Japanese Center Ages, these had been unregulated bouts the place the combatants fought to the demise.
Japanese Center Ages (1185–1603)
The Kamakura interval is the golden age of Sumo, because it was repurposed from a pure ceremonial martial artwork to samurai army coaching fight. The recognition began to develop, and by the Muromachi interval, it grew to become an occasion for the plenty, there have been even sponsors for rikishi wrestlers.
The Sumotori who participated within the bouts had been getting Samurai standing and basic help. The primary massive occasion was held by Oda Nobunaga, who created a beautiful Sumo tour for 1,500 folks in 1578.
The round ring appeared for the primary time in these occasions, however its main function was to keep up the security of spectators and to hasten the proceedings. But, a round ring comes from Nobunaga’s Sumo event.
Edo Interval (1603–1867)
There have been many wild avenue fights throughout the Edo interval, so Sumo was quickly banned, however the restriction was eliminated in 1684, and it was allowed for charity occasions on the properties of Shrinto shines.
The primary-ever sanctioned Sumo event occurred in Tomioka Hachimangu Shrine, plus the primary group {of professional} wrestlers was created. There have been many nice fighters from this era. For instance, the primary Yokozuna in historical past, Tanikaze Kajinosuke, lived within the 18th century.
Since 1868
The period of the feudal system and wealthy sponsors led to 1868 with the Meiji restoration. Sumo had come to be seen as an embarrassing exercise due to the western affect, which led to inside disputes within the central affiliation.
But, Emperor Meiji created a event for wrestlers in 1884, which restored the recognition of this self-discipline. Because of his affect and army win over Korea and China, Sumo grew to become the nationwide image.
Lastly, the Japanese Sumo Affiliation reunited in December 1925. It elevated the variety of annual tournaments to 4. In 1958, there have been six main tournaments in a single yr. In 1949, the skilled wrestling event size was modified from 10 days to fifteen days.
Is Sumo Wrestling A Sport?
After all, each bout presents a strict rule set that mustn’t be damaged. Fighters compete within the ring, with no strikes to the crotch space or some other unlawful strikes. This isn’t a avenue bout, you’re going to get disqualified should you break the foundations or deliberately stroll out of the ring.
The rikishi who wins the event will get numerous consideration and earns a spot in historical past. Sumo tournaments winners acquire numerous respect.
When Did Sumo Turn into A Sport?
Sumo advanced by many centuries, however the first skilled wrestlers appeared someday throughout the Edo interval (1603 – 1867). This age introduced paid fighters who acquired cash and different presents to combat. Skilled Sumo is a Japanese nationwide sport these days.
Why Is Sumo Not An Olympic Sport?
There aren’t sufficient worldwide Sumo Federations in several states, so skilled Sumo wrestlers can not make IOC take discover and take into account Japan’s nationwide sport as a possible Olympic self-discipline. Japan Sumo Affiliation exists within the “state of the Rising Solar”, however what number of federations within the sumo world are you able to identify?
Are Sumo Wrestlers Thought-about Athletes?
Completely sure, Sumo is likely one of the hardest martial arts on the planet. Many take into account opponents in Sumo tournaments overweight, however they reside a really exhausting life and dedicate each single day to their coaching periods. Even decrease ranked wrestlers have a really busy schedule.
They’ve excessive bodily exercise ranges regardless of being overweight, they usually endure an elevated danger of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and glucose intolerance due to their dimension.
Guidelines And Customs
There aren’t any weight divisions on this self-discipline. Because of no weight courses, you will note an enormous man preventing a smaller opponent many instances – it’s regular within the event. The heaviest wrestler on the planet would possibly sq. off towards a man who weighs lower than 200 kilos.
Dohyo-iri are ring getting into ceremonies, that are carried out solely by wrestlers in juryo and makiuchi divisions (west and east sides carry out it collectively), whereas each yokozuna (prime division combatant) has his particular person dohyo-iri, carried out individually.
The upcoming paragraphs will clarify all of the secrets and techniques of rikishi in tournaments, and bouts, and get to know you with the listing of prohibited and authorized strikes in a Sumo bout.
Sumo Guidelines
The last word purpose of the Sumo bout is to power their opponent out of the ring or to make him contact the clay floor with any a part of his physique apart from the soles of the ft. That’s why bouts between sumo wrestlers generally final only some seconds.
If any a part of the wrestler’s physique, even the tip of a finger, touches the bottom or the surface of the straw bales marking the ring circle he loses the bout. When each wrestlers fly out of the ring, the one who touched the bottom first loses the fight.
You might be allowed to slap, push, journey, and flip your opponent. But, kicking, hanging with fists, hair pulling, eye-gouging, grabbing very important organs, and choking are unlawful. These maneuvers will not be successful methods, they’re penalties. You might be additionally allowed to seize any a part of the opponent’s physique, even the neck, plus the contact with a mawashi belt is completely authorized too.
Sumo Wrestler’s Belt
The wrestlers combat barefoot, sporting a “mawashi”, the distinctive wrestler’s loincloth-like belt. It’s 2 ft large and 10 meters lengthy, folded sideways six instances and wrapped across the waist 4 to seven instances. The belt is hooked up across the groin with a strap.
Generally wrestlers moist or loosen their mawashi as a result of it turns them right into a tougher goal for his or her opponents. There are over 70 Sumo methods involving the mawashi belt. The chords dangling from the entrance of the belt are manufactured from silk stiffened with glue and are purely decorative. They could develop into indifferent throughout the bout.
Sumo Match
The bout kicks off with a “taich-ai”, or preliminary cost, each wrestlers are in crouching positions, arms in a fist, staring down at one another. When prepared, ring warriors contact the knuckles of each arms on the bottom and cost.
If one wrestler jumps the gun, the ref requires a brand new begin and the rule breaker bows to his opponent and apologizes. Generally, the combatants didn’t contact the grime with each arms, but it surely modified in 2008 when the Japan Sumo Affiliation insisted that each fighters should do this. Judges are additionally instructed to carefully implement the rule.
The common size of the Sumo bout is a number of seconds except you’re Akebono and Takanohana (that match lasted multiple minute).
Sumo Method
There are over 70 completely different strikes that can be utilized to throw your opponent out of the ring or to deliver him all the way down to the bottom. There are 48 acknowledged sumo methods. They’re recognized underneath the syntax “beltless arm throw” or “one leg journey.”
The combat normally kicks off with ferocious slapping, then fighters seize one another within the clinch. Some wrestlers quite attempt to push their opponent out of the ring, whereas others are mawashi males recognized for belt throws.
Smaller sumo wrestlers within the Japanese Sumo Affiliation normally go for a facet step, then push their foes out of the ring by way of quickness, explosiveness, and low middle of gravity, because of their superior method.
Sumo Ring
The bouts happen on a “dohyo”, an 18-foot sq. and two-foot-high platform, which is manufactured from a particular type of clay to forestall fighters from accidents (Japanese model of the ring).
The skilled wrestlers battle one another inside a 15-foot-in-diameter ring. It’s encircled with twisted rice straw, plus lined with a layer of sand, which permits sliding.
We’ve acquired a Shinto shrine hanging over the dohyo, suspended from the ceiling by cables. You may see 4 large tassels hanging from every nook (they signify the seasons of the yr – spring, summer season, autumn, and winter).
Girls will not be allowed to step on the dohyo (ring) and all Shinto shrines as a result of they’re thought-about ‘unclean’ when in a menstrual cycle. For instance, a feminine governor of Osaka needed to signify a event previously, however a person was despatched as a substitute of her as a result of outdated traditions.
Sumo Judges
Judges are former Sumo champs that ratify the referee’s choices and maintain particular conferences to resolve shut bouts. They sit at ringside seats in black kimonos.
There aren’t any cameras for immediate replay, however judges can generally check out the footmarks and impressions within the grime earlier than making a closing resolution. The ref’s resolution could be reversed, or a rematch could be referred to as when the 2 sumo wrestlers participated in a really shut bout.
Finish of Sumo Match And Bow Twirling
The wrestlers and followers by no means complain concerning the resolution of the referee, it’s closing. The opponents should settle for victories and defeats with equally dispassionate stoicism, however generally you’ll be able to see completely different expressions on their faces.
The loser instantly exits the ring, and the winner hangs round, drinks some water, squats, and will get acknowledged as a winner by the ref.
Each day of the Sumo event ends with the “bow match,” during which specially-picked wrestlers climb into the dohyo and are handed a bow by the gyoji. The wrestler twirls the bow round like a baton. This ritual dates again to the Edo interval in Japan.
The bow twirling on the finish of the matches is historically accomplished by low ranked wrestlers, however the bow twirler ought to come from the secure of Yokozuna. But, generally there isn’t a appropriate candidate.
Skilled Sumo Divisions
There are six divisions in Sumo: Makuuchi (mounted at 42 wrestlers), Juryo (mounted at 28 wrestlers), Makushita (mounted at 120 wrestlers), Sandanme (mounted at 200 wrestlers), Jonidan (roughly 230 wrestlers), and Jonokuchi (roughly 80 wrestlers).
You begin from the bottom rating, then work your method as much as the highest, the Makuuchi division. Sadly, solely the primary two prime division fighters get salaries, that’s why all people fishes for the very best rank ASAP.
Skilled Sumo Tournaments
There are massive six tournaments supported by Japan Sumo Affiliation yearly since 1958: three on the Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Ryōgoku, Tokyo (January, Might, and September), and one every in Osaka (March), Nagoya (July), and Fukuoka (November).
There aren’t any massive consecutive tournaments or back-to-back vital occasions within the capital of Japan. Each single tour kicks off on Sunday, and lasts for 15 days, additionally ending on Sunday. An amazing piece of alternative for event ticket holders to earn some cash. Sumo tickets will not be low-cost in any respect!
An Necessary Sumo Wrestler: Akebono Tarō
Akebono Taro is an American-born former skilled Sumo competitor from Waimanalo, Hawaii. He’s the first-ever non-Japanese rikishi who reached the yokozuna degree in historical past because of his excellent efficiency.
Early Life
Akebono was born on 8 Might 1969 to Randolph and Janice Rowan and grew up with two brothers. He was a basketball participant who stop his profession to pursue his dream.
Sumo Profession
Akebono flew to Japan in 1988 to kick off his Sumo run, and he adopted the identify of “Akebono”, which implies “rising solar”.
His rise within the profession was beautiful, he reached juryo in March 1990, and makuuchi in September the identical yr. Taro additionally earned the primary gold star in 1991 after defeating yokozuna Asahifuji.
Promotion
Akebono was promoted to ozeki in 1992 because of his nice achievements and consecutive wins. After consecutive championship wins, he was promoted to yokozuna in 1993, the first-ever from his secure.
Yokozuna Period
Akebono gained many nice tournaments, he was a long-standing and robust yokozuna. He beat Takanohana and Wakanohana in 1993, and gained many nice event championship bouts within the years to return.
Sadly, he was very vulnerable to accidents as a consequence of his dimension and weight. He additionally acquired the honour to signify Japan within the opening ceremony of Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan, 1998.
Preventing Type
He was one of many tallest and probably the most ferocious sumo combatants in historical past. Regardless of lengthy legs, which had been thought-about dangerous on this sport, he educated very exhausting and used his attain to push his foes out of the ring. Akebono mastered tsuparri methods.
Retirement
Akebono suffered one other damage after successful the eleventh prime division title in 2000 and retired in 2001. Later he grew to become a member of the Japan sumo affiliation as a coach.
What Is Akebono Actual Title?
The delivery identify of the legend who reached the very best rank in prime division is Chadwick Haheo Rowan.
Japanese Wrestlers
Sumo wrestlers from Japan are the preferred within the sport of Sumo in Japan. They’re very disciplined and able to observe the strict rule set.
An Growing Quantity Of International Sumo Wrestlers
After Akebono, the variety of overseas wrestlers considerably grew. Many overseas wrestlers fly to Japan and even attain the standing of yokozuna or no less than compete within the second division.
4 American Wrestlers in Japan
There are 4 extremely popular names who left a terrific path in Sumo:
Takamiyama – energy and momentum skilled;
Konishiki – three-time championship winner, near yokozuna;
Akebono – long-lasting yokozuna;
Musashimaru – the first-ever yokozuna from American Samoa.
Hawaii Sumo Wrestlers: What Are Hawaiian Wrestlers Referred to as?
Identical identify like in Japan, rikishi. Essentially the most well-known names are Akebono, Takamiyama, and Konishiki.
Chinese language Sumo Wrestlers
Sokokurai Eikichi (born Enkhtuvshin in 1984) comes from Internal Mongolia, China. He’s the one Sumo fighter from China to succeed in the highest of the makuuchi division in Japan.
Girls And Sumo
Sadly, Sumo competitions will not be allowed in Japan as a consequence of conventional values, it’s prohibited at knowledgeable degree, however its novice form exists.
The Worldwide Sumo Federation permits feminine competitions. There was a Sumo occasion for females in Fight Video games in 2013. The primary nationwide championship was held in 1997, with two variations – females put on leotards underneath mawashi, and one bout lasts three as a substitute of 5 minutes.
Among the notable names from feminine Sumo world are Hiyori Kon, Miki Satoyama, Sharran Alexander, Julia Dorny, Hetal Dave, Edyta Witkowska, and others.
