For a team of young sumo wrestlers who could do with every drop of energy that comes their way, a present of bagfuls of rice would be a godsend.

Thanks to a quirky social gifting service, anyone who wants to extend a helping hand to sumo wrestlers or other young athletes can instantly act as a benefactor by sending gifts with the click of a mouse.

The "sashiire" service, run by Tokyo-based company daigaku sports channel Inc., is on the more unique end of the emerging social gifting industry, which allows people to give donations or presents via social networks like Facebook and other Internet sites.