Sumo is a full contact combat sport popular predominately in Japan although also practiced to a lesser degree in other countries, including the U.S. and U.K. The aim of a sumo bout is to push your opponent out of the circular ring or force him to touch the round with any part of his body other than his feet. Sumo is a very traditional sport with many customs and, in Japan, professional non-Japanese sumo wrestlers are relatively rare. The sport of sumo excludes female competitors to the degree that women are not allowed to step foot into the ring even as referees.
Gain Weight
Sumo wrestlers are normally very big. Much of their body weight is fat as the heavier you are, the harder it is to be pushed out of the ring. The large stomach seen on most sumo wrestlers helps create a lower center of gravity, which enhances stability and balance. Sumo wrestlers eat a high calorie fish, meat and vegetable stew called chankonabe to help them gain the necessary bulk. Professional sumo wrestlers can weigh as much as 650 pounds, although being the heaviest wrestler does not always guarantee victory. Try to gain both fat and muscle, but do not get so heavy that you lose your athleticism. Smaller sumo wrestlers can beat heavier opponents by being quicker and more agile.
Increase Your Strength
Strength is a vital component in sumo wrestling. Bouts are typically only a few seconds long, but during that time, wrestlers work very intensely to overcome their opponent's bulk. This requires strength. As sumo is predominately a sport of pushing, focus on developing your thighs, hips, chest, shoulders and arms. Exercises such as squats, bench presses and overhead presses will develop the strength necessary for successful sumo wrestling.
Develop Your Flexibility
The lower you can set your center of mass, the harder you will be to push out of the ring or off balance. Getting low and staying low requires tremendous lower body flexibility. Sumo wrestlers are known for their hip mobility and many wrestlers can comfortably achieve the full splits -- an impressive feat for such big men. Work on your flexibility by stretching long and often. Focus on your hamstrings and inner thighs, but do not neglect other parts of your body.
Learn the Rules and Practices of Sumo
The sport of sumo is centuries old and has a rich and colorful history. Much of this history is reflected in the rituals, practices and rules of sumo. The ritualistic aspect of sumo is called Shinto, which is, in essence, an expression of Japanese nationalistic pride and one of the ways that sumo wrestlers honor the sport of sumo and other sumo wrestlers. Non-Japanese sumo wrestlers must perform the same rituals as Japanese wrestlers, as failure to do so would be seen as very disrespectful.
References
- "Sumo: A Thinking Fan's Guide to Japan's National Sport"; David Benjamin; 2010
- "The Big Book of Sumo: History, Practice, Ritual, Fight"; Mina Hall; 1997
- "Grand Sumo: The Living Sport and Tradition"; Lora Sharnoff and Lynn Matsuoka; 1993
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