What is Sumo Wrestling Sumo is a competitive contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force one another out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally. The Japanese consider sumo a modern Japanese martial art,even though the sport has a history spanning many centuries. Sumo is a competitive contact sport where a wrestler attempts to force one another out of a circular ring or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan, the only country where it is practiced professionally. The Japanese consider sumo a modern Japanese martial art,even though the sport has a history spanning many centuries.

Salary and payment As of 2006, the monthly salary for top division wrestlers were between $9,000 US and $24,000 US As of 2006, the monthly salary for top division wrestlers were between $9,000 US and $24,000 US Wrestlers who are paid under $9,000 are considered to be trainees, and do not receive a salary, but only a fairly small allowance. Wrestlers who are paid under $9,000 are considered to be trainees, and do not receive a salary, but only a fairly small allowance.

Life as a professional sumo wrestler On entering sumo, they are expected to grow their hair long to form a topknot, similar to the samurai hairstyles of the Edo Period. They are also expected to dress in traditional japanese clothing when in public. Therefore, sumo wrestlers can be identified immediately when in public. On entering sumo, they are expected to grow their hair long to form a topknot, similar to the samurai hairstyles of the Edo Period. They are also expected to dress in traditional japanese clothing when in public. Therefore, sumo wrestlers can be identified immediately when in public.

The Wrestling Ring Sumo matches take place in a dohyō, a ring 4.5 meters in diameter, made of rice and straw bales on top of a platform made of clay mixed with sand. Its area is 1600 meters squared and its perimeter is 20 meters. At the center are two white lines. A roof resembling a Shinto shrine may be suspended over the dohyō. Sumo matches take place in a dohyō, a ring 4.5 meters in diameter, made of rice and straw bales on top of a platform made of clay mixed with sand. Its area is 1600 meters squared and its perimeter is 20 meters. At the center are two white lines. A roof resembling a Shinto shrine may be suspended over the dohyō.

Bout Preparation In the changing room the wrestlers change into their fighting mawashi (clothing) and await their bouts. The wrestlers reenter the arena two bouts prior to their own and sit down at the side of the ring. There are no weight divisions in sumo, and considering the range of body weights in sumo, an individual wrestler can sometimes face an opponent twice his own weight. When it is their turn they will be called into the ring by a announcer and they will mount the dohyō. In the changing room the wrestlers change into their fighting mawashi (clothing) and await their bouts. The wrestlers reenter the arena two bouts prior to their own and sit down at the side of the ring. There are no weight divisions in sumo, and considering the range of body weights in sumo, an individual wrestler can sometimes face an opponent twice his own weight. When it is their turn they will be called into the ring by a announcer and they will mount the dohyō. On mounting the dohyō the wrestler performs a number of rituals derived from Shinto practice. Facing the audience, he claps his hands and then performs the leg-stomping exercise to drive evil spirits from the dohyō. On mounting the dohyō the wrestler performs a number of rituals derived from Shinto practice. Facing the audience, he claps his hands and then performs the leg-stomping exercise to drive evil spirits from the dohyō. Finally the wrestlers crouch down at the starting lines, each trying to stare the other down. When both reach unspoken agreement, they spring from their crouch for the initial charge, In the upper divisions, they almost never charge on the first occasion. Instead, after staring they return to their corners for more mental preparation. Finally the wrestlers crouch down at the starting lines, each trying to stare the other down. When both reach unspoken agreement, they spring from their crouch for the initial charge, In the upper divisions, they almost never charge on the first occasion. Instead, after staring they return to their corners for more mental preparation.

Winning A Match The winner of a sumo bout is either the first wrestler to force his opponent to step out of the ring. Or first wrestler to force his opponent to touch the ground with any part of his body other than the bottom of his feet. The winner of a sumo bout is either the first wrestler to force his opponent to step out of the ring. Or first wrestler to force his opponent to touch the ground with any part of his body other than the bottom of his feet. Matches often last only a few seconds, as usually one wrestler is quickly ousted from the circle or thrown to the ground. However, they can occasionally last for several minutes. Each match is preceded by an elaborate ceremonial ritual. The wrestlers themselves are renowned for their great girth, as body mass is often a winning factor in sumo, though with skill, smaller wrestlers can topple far larger opponents. Matches often last only a few seconds, as usually one wrestler is quickly ousted from the circle or thrown to the ground. However, they can occasionally last for several minutes. Each match is preceded by an elaborate ceremonial ritual. The wrestlers themselves are renowned for their great girth, as body mass is often a winning factor in sumo, though with skill, smaller wrestlers can topple far larger opponents.