Sumo
Sumo is the traditional Japanese style of wrestling that dates back centuries. The sport involves two wrestlers, or rikishi, attempting to force each other out of a circular ring, or dohyo, or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of their feet.
Sumo is steeped in tradition and ceremony, with matches beginning with a ritualistic stomp to drive away evil spirits and ending with the victor performing a victory dance. Wrestlers, who are often large and powerful, wear only a loincloth called a mawashi during matches.
Sumo tournaments, or basho, are held throughout the year in various cities in Japan. The most prestigious of these tournaments is the Grand Sumo Tournament held in Tokyo, where wrestlers compete for the coveted Emperor’s Cup.
Sumo has a rich history and remains an important cultural institution in Japan. The sport has also gained popularity internationally, with sumo wrestlers from around the world competing in professional leagues in Japan and other countries.