An Ode to Sumo

The two things I like best about Japan are baseball and sumo wrestling.

Yes, sumo wrestling.  It is fascinating and tremendously exciting.

Westerners might ask how one can get excited about watching some 300 pound behemoths go head-to-head dressed in diapers.  But actually, that's the appeal of sumo - the size not the diapers (mawashi in Japanese). The athletic ability of these massive men - their speed and agility - is truly amazing.

Yes, speed and agility.  That's what the best sumo champions display. In spite of being built like highrise buildings, sumo wrestlers display an amazing amount of finesse and athleticism, dancing around like ballerinas, trying to gain a grip on their opponents and avoid being thrown out of the ring.

It is an amazing to watch these incredible athletes.  Their strength is awe-inspiring.  And their toughness, unparalleled.

Sumo warriors begin their matches by banging heads like NFL lineman, only without the helmets. Losers are often thrown from the ring onto their backs or sides, no doubt damaging ribs, spines and internal organs.

Yet never once have I seen a sumo san fail to get up after a loss.

And it's not normally the biggest and baddest wrestlers that become sumo champions.  In fact, the latest star is a Mongolian by the name of Haramafuji, who is small by sumo standards.  He uses quickness, technique to gain advantage over much bigger guys, often knocking them off balance and out of the ring.

Haramafuji went a perfect 15-0 at the most recent sumo championships, taking home his fifth Emperor's Cup:

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2013/01/27/sumo/harumafuji-captures-emperors-cup-with-day-to-spare/#.UQXQI0petJE

Haramafuji and his Mongolian compatriot Hakuho have combined for 28 of the last 33 sumo titles.  In fact, a Japanese wrestler has not won the championship of Japan's ancient support in seven years.

That may be part of the reason why sumo is waning in popularity among younger Japanese.  Most that I meet don't watch sumo, calling it the sport of their grandparents.

That's too bad, because I find sumo unique and exciting.  Sumo wrestlers also display a wonderful grace and humility in the face of battle, something one does not see in other combat sports such as boxing or ultimate fighting.

Yes, sumo is fun to watch.  I recommend it to anyone because, when Haramafuji and Hakuho bang heads with the Emperor's Cup on the line, there may not be a more exciting 60 seconds in all of sport.