Any sport that involves fat guys, I find fascinating. Sumo wrestling is one of the most revered sports in Japan and those fat guys at the top of their game are legendary.

Fat Guys in Diapers

Sumo wrestling is not only the oldest of Japan’s various martial arts, it also evolved into the most distinct and ritualistic. It is still heavily centered around the Shinto religion. When the sport was first introduced 1500 years ago it was performed mostly to ensure good harvests.

By the 15th century Sumo wrestling had adopted a set of strict rules and the most talented champions were offered aid by powerful feudal lords. In the early 1700’s “banzuke” or ranking lists, were established, a system which is still strictly adhered to today. The objective of the “sumotori”, or competitors, many of whom weigh between 250 and 500 pounds, is to either knock his opponent from a specially-sized ring or maneuver him so that any part of his body touches the ground. This is done by using one or a series of 70 accepted Sumo moves.

There is no weight class in Sumo wrestling so very often the “Rikishi”, or competitors, find themselves squaring off against a much heftier opponent. Often a match lasts mere seconds before the more powerful or agile opponent executes a deft move and tosses, pushes, slaps or in some other way disqualifies his rival.

The training regimen for Sumo wrestlers is strict and rigorous. There are numerous Sumo schools in Japan and young recruits usually enter as teenagers. Each youth must pass a weight class before acceptance. The schools teach rules, etiquette, basic techniques and the history of Sumo. Scouts from various “stables” , or Sumo training centers, visit schools to recruit promising students who they hope might become the next stars of the Sumo ring.