Lifestyle

Sumo for all

The Japanese form of wrestling is no longer restricted to heavyweight players, as children and women are taking part in the sport, writes Kitty Lam

The word “sumo” is easily associated with the image of an overweight guy who wears nothing but a mawashi, the sport’s traditional cloth belt, thrusting his opponent out of the ring.

In fact, not all sumo players are fat or just protect themselves with a thong. In Hong Kong , more children and women have joined the Japanese style of wrestling and considered it the same as other kinds of sport for working out.

Wrestlers say sumo is exciting as a match can be finished within seconds. “Weight is not the key to win. We emphasise techniques and skills more,” said Samson Mak Yiu-cheung, president of the Hong Kong Sumo Association.

About 70 per cent of the association’s 300 members are children, and the number of wrestlers compete in sumo contests has increased 60 per cent to 160 within six years, Mak said.

One of the most experienced junior players, Hong Pak-to, started doing sumo when he was only eight. “The longer time you take part in sumo, the more fun you will discover,” the 14-year-old Pak-to said.

He was a judo player before taking part in sumo. His judo coach recommended him to join sumo wrestling because of his sturdy build. In fact, most local sumo wrestlers have played judo before. The two sports have similar techniques and rules.

Pak-to said he enjoyed taking part in sumo competitions, as the rules are clear and simple – react as fast as you can and defeat your opponent either by throwing or pushing him out of the sumo ring, dohyo, or making any part of his body, other than the soles of his feet, touch the ground inside the ring.

There are open-weight races for both sexes while beginners can also join a contest.

However, beginners may hurt themselves during practice, as they have not mastered the techniques. Sensitive parts of the body and the face, such as the canthus, may get cut. It is important for fresh players to know how to fall safely, sumo experts said. The chance of injuring oneself is low if the player practises according to the coach’s instructions.

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