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The ultimate goal of a Sumo Wrestler, or Sumotori, is to push his opponent out of the ring, or throw him off-balance so that some part of his body other than his feet makes contact with the floor.
A contest starts with the Gyoji (referee) singing the names of the Sumotori who enter the Dohyo (ring) and go to their respective corners where they stamp the ground. They are then given water by another Sumotori. After rinsing out their mouths, they wipe their lips with white paper, sprinkle salt on the Dohyo, and clap their hands to call for spiritual protection. After moving to the centre of the ring, they stamp the ground and stare each other down.
During the fight, the wrestlers may return to their corners four or five times to rinse out their mouths and sprinkle more salt on the Dohyo. Fights often last only a few seconds. Punching, kicking and choking are prohibited, as are attacking the stomach or eyes, pulling hair and hitting below the belt, but slapping is allowed.
In the event of a tie, the Gyoji must decide a winner. If the judges disagree with the decision, they can call for a rematch.
Originally, there were 48 officially recognised techniques for winning a match, but this was increased to 70 in 1960.
Unlike many other combat sports which are organised into weight divisions, Sumo Wrestling contestants are ordered in six skill grades, dependent on success in winning fights. Since all Sumo Wrestlers wear their hair long, tying hair into an ‘i-icho-mage’ or complex knot, signifies a high-ranked Sumotori whereas the simple ‘chonmage’ knot signifies lower-ranked fighters.
Equipment
The maurashi is a thick belt made from a band of silk around 10 metres long, folded in six and wound about six times. This style of belt is fundamental to the technique of the sport because it is necessary to grip this to perform many of the manoeuvres.
The Gyoji or referee controlling the match wears a samurai kimono and a hat similar to that worn by the Shinto priests in the Middle Ages.
History
The origins of Sumo Wrestling (derived from word “sumai” - meaning to fight in Japanese) is shrouded in Japan’s early history, where a reference in an old chronicle mentions a tournament held in 23 B.C. Sumo matches were part of a ritual to appease the Shinto gods. They were also used to settle political disputes. Matches had no rules and finished with the winner forcing his opponent to concede or killing him. From the early 17th century until the 1990s, Sumo Wrestling was a professional sport for men only. The International Sumo Federation (IFS) now strongly encourages women to participate so that Sumo can become part of the Olympic Games. |