Japan slow to offer support to women's sumo
"It's not only boys who can practice and enjoy sumo. There are girls that like sumo too. I hope someday women can become pros." Those were the words of elementary school student Rie Ishibashi, on the day she made history by becoming the first-ever fifth ...
Girls wrestle in the Wanpaku sumo ring for the first time ever
It was a historic weekend for sumo in Japan as the first-ever Wanpaku national championships for elementary school-age girls took place at Okudo Sogo Sports Center in Tokyo’s Katsushika Ward on Sunday. Previously, girls who had won through regional qualifying events were unable to take ...
Kids tournaments provide much more than just recruiting grounds
You can become a professional sumo wrestler at 15 years old. That's the age most kids are when they graduate junior high school and complete compulsory education. The academic year in Japan ends in March and that month's tournament in Osaka sees more new recruits join ...
Kids sumo offers wrestlers an early start
As outlined in a previous Sumo 101, joining sumo is often a matter of just getting in touch with a stable. Experience in the ring or a background in the sport aren't prerequisites, as virtually anyone with Japanese nationality will be accepted into sumo. The reality, ...
