Bellinson Group Japan

Cultural Icon

Sumo wrestling holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the Japanese people, serving as a symbol of national pride, tradition, and identity. Dating back over 1,500 years, sumo is deeply ingrained in Japanese culture, with its rituals, ceremonies, and symbolism permeating every aspect of society.

International Appeal

While sumo wrestling is deeply rooted in Japanese culture and tradition, it has gained popularity and recognition on the global stage. Sumo tournaments are regularly held in countries outside of Japan, attracting fans and enthusiasts from around the world.

Sumo Rankings

Within the hierarchical world of professional sumo, wrestlers are ranked based on their performance in tournaments and their overall record. The highest rank in sumo is Yokozuna, or grand champion, which is held by only a select few wrestlers known for their exceptional skill, dominance, and character.

Techniques and Strategy

While sumo wrestling may appear to be a simple contest of brute strength, it is, in fact, a highly strategic and nuanced sport. Wrestlers employ a wide array of techniques and tactics to outmaneuver and outwit their opponents, ranging from pushing and thrusting to grappling and throwing.

Ring Design

At the heart of every sumo match lies the sacred sumo ring, or dohyo. Constructed from compacted clay, the dohyo measures 4.55 meters in diameter and is elevated on a platform made of rice-straw bales.

Sumo Tournaments

Professional sumo is organized into six major tournaments, or basho, held throughout the year in Japan. Each basho lasts 15 days and takes place in various cities across the country, attracting thousands of spectators from around the world.

Stable Life

Sumo wrestlers lead a highly regimented lifestyle centered around their training and communal living arrangements known as heya, or stables. Within these stables, wrestlers, or rikishi, adhere to a strict daily routine dictated by their stablemaster, or oyakata.

Weight Classes

Despite the common perception of sumo wrestlers as overweight giants, there exists a nuanced system of weight classes in professional sumo. Wrestlers are classified into various divisions based on their weight, with strict upper limits for each division.

Traditional Rituals

Sumo wrestling is as much about tradition and ritual as it is about athleticism. Before each match, wrestlers perform a series of elaborate rituals steeped in Shinto symbolism.