By: Sinaan Younus

BACKGROUND INFO

• Sumotori, or rikishi, is the proper name for the sumo wrestler.

• They where only a silk loincloth called a mawashi.

• Sumotori may appear overweight, but under their blubber, they have steel muscles and can run fast.

• There are very few competitions for women.

• Shinto rituals are an important part of the sumotori lifestyle.

SUMOTORI

• The ring the wrestlers fight in is called the dohyo.

• It is a sand-covered circle 15 ft (4.6 meters) in diameter.

• The circle is surrounded with straw bales.

• It is on a square platform 324₂ ft in area and 1-2 ft in height.

• It has a roof similar to one of a Shinto shrine.

DOHYO

• When a rikishi enters the ring he rinses his mouth with water, representing the purification of mind and body.

• Each wrestler scatters salt to purify the ring.

• The wrestlers squat facing each other in the center of the circle.

• Goal of the Game: Knock your opponent out of the dohyo or have them touch the ground with any body part other than the soles of their feet.

• Most sumo bouts are over within a few seconds.

• You will never see a wrestler jump up and down after he wins a match

SUMO BOUT

NOW AND THEN

ROOTS OF SUMO

•According to legend, 2 gods competed

in a sumo bout for control of the

Japanese Islands.

•Scholars believe some origins of sumo

wrestling date back more than 1500

years ago.

•Ancient wall paintings indicate origins

were very old.

•The Nihon Shoki (Chronicles of Japan)

from 720 BCE records the first bout

between lowly mortals. It is said that

Emperor Suinin made a request for Nomi

No Sukuhe, a potter from Izumo, to fight

Tuima No Kehaya. Sukuhe won and was

immortalized as the Father of Sumo.

SUMO WRESTLING BACK IN THE DAY

•Sumo wrestling used to be a “no

holds barred” sport.

•Only Japanese were allowed to

compete.

•There was a very high injury rate.

•It became a training program for

warriors

• Nowadays there is a complete set of rules enforced by the Nihon Sumo Kiokai (Japanese Sumo Assn.)

• There is a strict guideline for the wrestlers’ training, lifestyle, rituals, and diet.

• Injuries are rare outside the dohyo.

• There are about 48-70 recognized techniques.

• Foreigners are allowed to compete.

MODERN DAY

You are a double chinned, Japanese boy and you have dreamed about becoming a sumo wrestler all your life.

Finally, one day during middle school, an oyakata has come to your family’s farm to recruit you. To follow your destiny, here are the things you must do:

You Had a Dream

TRAINING

EXERCISE

DIET

CAREER

SUMO RANKS

-only 67 sumos to ever hold this position since the 1700s

JONIDAN

MAKUSHITA

JONOKUCHI

SANDANME

MAKU-UCHI

JURYOU

IMPORTANCE