Sumo Wrestling is a traditional sport and one of the oldest martial arts in Japan. It involves two sumo wrestlers (rikishi) meeting in the sumo ring (dohyo), with the object of forcing their opponent to step outside the ring or touch the ground with any of their body above the shin. Wrestlers often perform traditional rituals, called dohyo-iri, before starting the match.
Sumo Techniques
- Tsuku: To strike the opponent's chest with both arms
- Tsuru: To lift the opponent by his mawashi (belt)
- Ashi-tori - To cause the opponent to fall down by taking out one of his legs
- Hataki-komi - To strike the opponent on the back, shoulder or arm, causing him to fall
- Yorikiri - To grab the opponent by his belt and force him from the ring Scgroup.com: Sumo FAQ
Notable Professional Sumo Wrestlers
- Miyagino Nishikinosuke (1766 - 1796)
- Raiden (1790 - 1811)
- Hidenoyama Raigoro (1828 - 1850)
- Jinmaku (1850 - 1867)
- Kimenzan Tanigoro (1852 - 1870)
- Umegatani I (1871 - 1885)
- Nishinoumi Kajiro I (1882 - 1896)
- Wakashima (1891 - 1970)
- Hitachiyama (1892 - 1914)
- Okido Moriemon (1899 - 1914)
- Nishinoumi Kajiro II (1900 - 1918)
- Ryogoku Yujiro (1909 - 1924)
- Futabayama (1927 - 1945)
- Maedayama (1929 - 1949)
- Haguroyama (1934 - 1953)
- Kagamisato (1941 - 1958)
- Chiyonoyama (1942 - 1959)
- Tsurugamine (1947 - 1967)
- Taiho (1956 - 1971)
- Oshio (1962 - 1988)
- Chiyonofuji (1970 - 1991)
- Kirishima 1975 - 1996)
- Mitoizumi (1978 - 2000)
- Futahaguro (1979 - 1987)
- Kyokushuzan (1992 - 2006)
- Hakurozan (2002 - 2008)
- Wakanoho (2005- 2008)
References
Fast Facts
-
Country of origin
Japan
-
Fact:
The first sumo matches were part of ritual prayers for plentiful harvests Athletic Scholarship: History of Sumo Wrestling
-
Fact:
Sumo wrestling was part of military training during the Age of the Samurai Athletic Scholarship: History of Sumo Wrestling
-
Fact:
Japan is the only country where sumo wrestling is practiced professionally
-
Fact:
The sumo ring (dohyo) is made of clay and is is 18' square Cyranos: About Sumo
-
Fact:
Sumo wrestlers are called rikishi, which translates to "strong man" Cyranos: About Sumo
-
Fact:
The belt worn by sumo wrestlers is called a mawashi Scgroup.com: Sumo FAQ
-
Fact:
Professional sumo wrestlers live in communal sumo training stables called heya Scgroup.com: Sumo FAQ
-
Fact:
Yokozuna is the highest rank a sumo wrestler can achieve Scgroup.com: Sumo FAQ
