Sumo may seem strange to those unfamiliar with its rich history. At first glance, it's a sport where overweight men in thongs wrestle to push their opponents out of a small ring. But dig deeper, and you'll discover several fascinating facts. From technical intricacies to deeply rooted traditions, here are 10 facts that make sumo, Japan's national sport, one of the most unique sports in the world.
1. Sumo wrestlers were once thin and muscular.
Sumo originated in the Heian period in 794 AD. Over the centuries, sumo has undergone significant evolution. Although finding images and detailed information about events more than 1,200 years ago is difficult, we have managed to find photographs of wrestlers from the 18th and 19th centuries. The photographs clearly show that, unlike modern wrestlers, sumo wrestlers were lean and muscular.
Pavel Boyar from Prague, Czech Republic, is a slender sumo wrestler of the modern era. Boyar was active from 2004 to 2014. Despite his wiry frame and muscular build, he defeated several heavyweight wrestlers, becoming one of the most famous sumo wrestlers of all time. (1, 2)
2. Before each match, sumo wrestlers throw salt into the ring to clean it.
Every movement a sumo wrestler makes before entering the ring has religious significance. Salt is believed to have purifying properties. Therefore, wrestlers scatter salt around the ring to cleanse the sacred space called« dohyo »They also stamp their feet on the ring before entering to drive out evil spirits. Before entering the ring, they take a sip of water to cleanse their bodies. (source)
3. Sumo wrestlers must wear traditional Japanese clothing and a topknot at all times.
After joining the scout school (the institution where they train), sumo wrestlers follow a strict regimen and lead an extremely disciplined life. Consequently, they must wear traditional Japanese clothing at all times. In fact, they aren't even allowed to choose what to wear. They must always wear their hair in a traditional bun, called a "knot."« chonmage »"In fact, before each match, a sumo wrestler has his hair styled in the shape of a ginkgo leaf by a special barber. (source)
4. Sumo wrestlers are prohibited from driving a car.
Following several tragic car accidents involving sumo wrestlers, they were banned from driving. Cars are generally designed for people of average weight and build. Sumo wrestlers are very large, and this could lead to problems and accidents if they were allowed to drive. Therefore, many sumo wrestlers can be seen on public transportation, such as buses and the subway, as well as in taxis. (source)
5. Sumo wrestlers consume up to 7,000 calories a day but do not become obese.
A sumo wrestler's diet includes several bowls of rice and vegetables with chankonabe (Sumo stew). They certainly eat a lot, but only healthy foods. Most of their body fat is located under the skin and in the organs. Therefore, even with a 7,000-calorie diet and a weight of 300 to 400 pounds, sumo wrestlers are not obese. This also explains why they lose weight quickly after retiring. They simply reduce their calorie intake to lose weight. (source)
6. Women are not allowed in the ring because they are considered unclean due to menstruation.
Traditionally, women are prohibited from participating in sumo competitions ( dohyo The arena has religious significance, and according to Buddhist beliefs, women are considered "unclean" due to their menstrual cycle. However, women are studying the sport and practicing it individually in the hope that the ban on professional competitions will one day be lifted.
In addition, at several universities in Japan, sumo clubs are challenging the ancient traditions of professional sumo and regularly practising the sport alongside their male counterparts.
On the other hand, some incidents also demonstrate the ban's downside. For example, during an exhibition tournament in Maizuru, the city's mayor suffered a stroke and collapsed in the ring. Many women present at the tournament, including a nurse, rushed to his aid. However, officials asked them to leave the ring immediately, but the women refused. Later, after the women left, they were seen sprinkling the ring with salt, presumably to clean it. (source)
7. Kesho-mawashi , the ceremonial aprons worn by high-ranking sumo wrestlers cost up to two million yen!
High-ranking sumo wrestlers are presented with ceremonial aprons by their supporters and sponsors as a sign of appreciation and respect. These aprons are made of silk and embroidered with gold and silver thread. Some of these luxurious aprons are also adorned with diamonds, pearls, and other precious stones. These aprons cost a hefty two million yen. (source)
8. One day, a 17-year-old teenager died as a result of bullying that was usually carried out to toughen up young sumo wrestlers.
Several sumo schools openly practice bullying. Young students are subjected to severe physical punishment to keep them in line and "toughen them up." This includes forcing them to lift heavy objects for long periods of time or beatings. sinai (with a stick, training sword).
Although this system is widely accepted, a bullying incident that resulted in the death of young sumo student Takashi Saito in 2007 sparked public outrage. The mentor, Junichi Yamamoto, reportedly hit the student over the head with a beer bottle and continued to bully him and other wrestlers. For this brutal incident, Yamamoto was sentenced to six years in prison. (source)
9. Sumo wrestlers are as healthy as muscular people.
Sumo wrestlers maintain a balanced diet. They eat only healthy foods and engage in intense daily training in the gym and in the ring. Although they appear obese on the outside, beneath the layers of fat lies a powerful, muscular body. They possess incredible strength, allowing them to move and push enormous, heavy objects and lift heavy weights. Moreover, they are as flexible as the average muscular person! Before entering the ring, wrestlers stretch their legs and arms, bending their knees easily and flexibly, just like the average adult. (source)
10. When a sumo wrestler retires from his career, the topknot of his head is cut off during a haircut ceremony.
Hairstyle «"chonmage"» has a very important meaning in sumo. When a sumo wrestler retires, a farewell ceremony is held. During the ceremony, the top half of the wrestler's hair is cut, freeing him from the sport and the strict rules associated with it. (source)