There’s an art to simplicity, and sumo is about as simple a sport can get. To win a match, a fighter must force his opponent out of the ring or get any part of the opponent’s body to touch the ground. There are a few prohibited moves – eye gouging, hitting with closed fists, hair pulling, choking, and grabbing too far inside on the opponent’s mawashi (belt) – but just about anything else goes.
Sumo consists of a deep tradition, with a history spanning over a thousand years. While the match itself is simple, sumo is enveloped in pageantry. From hand clapping to signal to the gods, leg stomping to ward off any bad spirits, and throwing of salt to cleanse the ring, each ceremonial element adds to the spectacle.
Despite the physical nature of the contest, the competitors, the crowd, and the spectacle show that respect forms the foundation for the battles that take place within the ring. Beaten and sometimes bloody after being thrown out of the ring, the wrestlers always conclude their fight with a bow to their opponent, a gesture very much in line with the country’s culture that you see lived out every day.
professional category
Tenacity and Tradition (Series)
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