Women's sumo took a major step forward this past weekend with the holding of the inaugural Girls High School Sumo National Championships in Tachikawa in western Tokyo.
Kanazawa Gakuin University High School emerged victorious in the three-person team tournament, while powerhouse Tottori Johoku High School took home gold in two of the three individual weight classes.
Athletes from all over the country took part in the historic meet, with many expressing hope that the tournament would lead to greater exposure for women’s sumo.
Third-year student Yuzuki Komiya gave the opening pledge, and later said that she was, “Really proud to have been able to participate in a tournament which will have a huge influence on the development of women's sumo in the future.”
“I want women's sumo to become more popular, and to demonstrate that even smaller girls can do various styles of sumo,” said Komiya, who has been competing in national tournaments since she was in elementary school.
“I would be happy if the media could take up this issue more, so that people could get rid of stereotypes and become more aware of the fact that women like this are working so hard and taking part in sumo.”
With a growing pool of talent in the women’s game, and a fast-rising overall level of technical ability, Saturday’s meet more than lived up to expectations. The quality of sumo throughout was excellent and the battle for podium places fiercely fought.
So competitive was the meet that Komiya — despite an extensive background and long history of success in the sport — was unable to medal in her weight class.
The veteran from Ueno High School in Tokyo was disappointed but isn’t finished with sumo just yet.
“I'm going to (do sumo) in college. My goal is to compete in the world championships, and of course to win, and I think I can contribute to the development of women's sumo,” she said.
Which college Komiya will attend has yet to be decided, but unlike in the past, there are many more options available for women in sumo in 2024.
The high schooler explained that she “was able to participate in practice sessions at various colleges, and since it's different depending on the university, there are a lot of different ways to approach a bout. With each sumo style, you can show more of yourself and attack more.”
Like many female sumo wrestlers of her generation, though, Komiya expressed frustration at the fact that, unlike for men, there is no opportunity for women to make a career out of sumo.
But while progress is slow, small steps toward equality — such at the tournament in Tachikawa — are being taken.
“We wanted to create this tournament many years ago, but it was difficult,” said International Sumo Federation (IFS) President Kazufumi Minami on the sidelines of the event. “In Japan people think of sumo as a men’s sport, and it’s very difficult to change that image and show that women can do sumo.”
Minami, however, was impressed with what he saw in Tachikawa saying, “The level is very high, but we want it to get even higher.”
While the IFS president wants women’s sumo (and amateur sumo in general) to continue to grow, it hasn’t been a smooth path of late.
International amateur sumo has been going through a rough patch over the past few years, with the chaos at the 2022 World Games in Alabama resulting in the sport being dropped from the competition program.
As always when the Olympics are taking place, however, enthusiasm and optimism over the sport’s global prospects are high and people are dreaming big.
“Sumo is spreading all over the world, and I think there is a possibility (of it becoming an Olympic sport),” Minami said. “For example, we respect judo, but there were a lot of problems with the judging (in Paris) this time. Sumo is more clearly judged. It's one-on-one and it's decided quickly. There are a lot of attractive points, so I think there is a possibility that sumo will have a chance.”
For the IFS president, that dream can best be achieved by leaning into the sport’s traditions.
“The good elements of martial arts, like the polite greetings, are what people want from sumo. Bowing and helping up opponents. The ring is a place of compassion.
“Amateur sumo is different from о̄zumo, and I want to walk a different path, but I think we need to focus on the good things, like politeness, that sumo has. I think we need to build on that, or else amateur sumo won't be viable.”
Of course, tradition is also partly responsible for women’s sumo taking so long to gain a foothold.
Resistance to change, combined with a fear of losing the heart of sumo, are major roadblocks to the creation of a professional version of the sport, distinct from о̄zumo, where women (and men) can achieve their dreams of a career in the sport they love.
Walking the tightrope of adherence to tradition while making the sport increasingly accessible to all is undoubtedly a challenge.
Women, whether athletes or administrators, have been playing an increasingly visible and vocal role in the development of amateur sumo. With this new high school tournament creating further opportunities, that is something that should continue to grow.
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