Sumo, one of Japan’s oldest professional sports, is a brief but brutal dispute between two 23 stone beasts who dress rather scantily, sport hipster topknots and live predominantly off an unathletic diet of rice, meat and beer.
Each year six Grand Sumo tournaments are held across Japan. We managed to catch a day of the spectacular 15-day event in Osaka’s Bodymaker Colosseum. The contests are an all-day family affair, with junior bouts kicking off from late morning and professional ones running late into the evening.
While the fight itself can last mere seconds the formalities in the build up stretch infinitely longer and are much like the mating dance of the peacock spider except with the addition of throwing ceremonial salt.
To be declared the victor of a bout a wrestler must either floor their opponent or get him swiftly out the ring. This second strategy can be hazardous for the brave officials and wary spectators if a losing warrior is flung precarious towards the front row, also known as the “sumo splash zone”.
