Sumo or sumo wrestling is a traditional Japanese wrestling sport usually practiced by very obese men. The wrestling match takes place in a circular part of a clay soil and is accompanied by many rituals. The Japanese consider Sumo a modern martial art; it is a popular sport that is often broadcast on television. Besides Japan, the popularity of the sport is also starting to increase in other countries.
History of Sumo
The sumo tradition is very old, the sport probably originated from a Korean martial art called Ssireum, which was introduced to the Japanese imperial court by a Korean prince in exile. This sport was influenced not only by court life but also by the general population, and contains many ritual elements that stem from the Shinto religion.
Sumo is inextricably linked to the Japanese imperial house, after all, the emperor is the head of Shinto. Some therefore interpret the short, explosive struggles between the rikishi (wrestlers, literally men of strength) as battles between two kami (deities), and the rivalry between the stables as a rivalry between universal forces. Rikishi are seen as good luck charms. Touching a rikishi is said to provide strength and prosperity and the rikishi are sometimes harassed by fans inside and outside tournaments.
There are two ways to win a match of sumo wrestling:
- The opponent touches the ground within the circle with a part of his body other than the soles of his feet. The hair is also considered a body part.
- The opponent hits the ground outside the circle.
So the goal is to ensure that the opponent cannot maintain himself on his feet within the circle.
