Sumo

Competitors in sumo are called sumotori, a term used to refer to one or several sumo wrestlers. The most notable feature of the sumotori is their weight, which ranges from 287 pounds(130 kg) to more than 441 pounds (200 kg). Great weight gives a low center of gravity, which aids the sumotori in propelling opponents outside the dohyo (sumo ring). There are 28 sumobeya (stables or schools) in Japan. The objectives are either to move the opponent out of …

…a series of hard slaps delivered very rapidly can force the opponent out of the ring. Using a grappling technique called yorikiri, the sumotori can also seize the opponent's belt. Holding onto the belt with both hands, the sumotori tries to march his opponent out of the ring A day's contests are concluded by a short ceremony (yumishiki) in which a low-ranking wrestler makes a series of stylized movements ending with a bow. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography**