Stories from Matt.

On Sumo.

 

I Couldn't write about the things I like about Japan without mentioning Japan's "national sport", Sumo wrestling.
When I mention that one of my hobbies is watching Sumo, people ask me two questions:
"Why do you like Sumo?"
"Who is your favourite Rikishi?"

Why? It's a good question. Generally speaking, I don't like any kind of fighting, even as sport. I can hardly bring myself to watch a boxing match these days, and have no stomach at all for "mixed martial arts" cage fighting.
Sumo is ranked among the Martial Arts. These are methods of physical combat that have become tradition in certain cultures, but which were originally practised for the purpose of fighting and winning wars. So Sumo, like boxing, fencing or any of the "Oriental" fighting styles (Karate, Kung-Fu.....) has its roots in violence.

Despite that Sumo is a battle of force between two opponents, with nothing but their hands and the power of their bodies, it - to my mind at least - is distinctly different to other fighting sports.
The main difference is in the rules that define victory and defeat. 
Most fighting sports declare victory to the combatant who can effectively disable their opponent, prevent the opponent from attacking them - in the more violent sports, the goal is to knock your opponent out.
Sumo is not "non-violent". Slapping your opponent is allowed. But winning does not require you to hurt your opponent, most Rikishi do not enter the ring with a desire to cause pain. All you have to do is push or throw your opponent down or out of the playing area. I like that element of Sumo, even if it means that most bouts are over in less than 10 seconds.
There is also the rich tradition of Sumo, the Japanese art and style. As well as the opportunities Sumo provides for the foreigner to study Japanese language.

Sumo is a sport of champions. Not only are ranking and privilege very important elements of the sport, but everyone (who follows Sumo) has their own "champion" in the game. It may be a fighter from your home town or prefecture, or just a Rikishi who you like or respect for any reason, we all have one in particular that we want to see do well in competition above all others. 

My champion is YoshiKaze.