Sumo Wrestling, a Tradition of Danger

Sumo wrestling is a sport of discipline and physical power which originated in Japan. In the old times, the sport was held to amuse the Shinto gods. The rikishi or the sumo wrestlers live in a manner of certain strictness and strong organization in the way they dress, eat, sleep and train, following the teachings and standards of their coach or otherwise called their stable master. Their costume varies depending on their rank. The belt worn is called the ‘mawashi’, while the cloth worn when they enter the ring is called the ‘kesho-mawashi’. The customary meal of a rikishi is a sumptuous poaches of meat, fish and vegetables called the ‘chanko-nabe’ they undergo a rigorous training of human combat from time to time to be stronger and competitive.

The wrestling ring is called the dohyo, accentuated with two parallel lines, which are the starting point for every wrestler before each bout. A referee or a yobidashi calls the bout on. The rules of the sport are simple. The first wrestler to bring his opponent outside the ring or dohyo, wins; and the wrestler who can bring his opponent’s body down other than the soles of his feet down wins. It is indeed a rough sport.

By the influence of the Shinto religion, rituals are performed before a fight. It is still being practiced until now, apart from professional sumo wrestling. Opponents do not meet each other before the fight, their rooms are separated, that is, setting up of an East and West rooms. The yobidashi will be calling the fight on. Each rikishi will step up to the ring and perform a traditional clapping and stomping of the feet when called, and is believed to drive away evil spirits. The wrestlers will have to go back to their respective corners to get a handful of salt, go to the starting lines and squat, throw off the salt for purification then the bout begins.

Sumo wrestling has been a part of Japan’s tradition and is a national sport. The emphasis being taught by the sport is firm discipline which affects the Japanese way of living. Yes, the sport simply teaches a great learning of true discipline, but apparently, there are great implications that go along with this tradition and sport. The roughness of the sport may be too dangerous for every wrestler participating in every fight.

The health of the wrestlers is compromised. Let us take into consideration that the wrestlers are required to be over weight or fat. In the recent studies made, diseases may arise in cases of being over weight or obese. Cardiovascular, renal, metabolic problems may arise because of that. Their life expectancy shortens in this case comparing to the general population. They die at an early age because of obesity.

Moreover, the roughness of the sport may lead to injuries to wrestlers and also, result to temporary or permanent disabilities and worse, death. Its hazard to wrestlers is often overlooked because the practice of the tradition dominates the real effects of it to the sumo wrestlers. The lifestyle that they have chosen is unhealthy and is too dangerous. It would be much better to gradually alter the requirements of the sport so as the life of the wrestlers will not be compromised and the importance of discipline will be more stressed out by teaching a variety of lifestyle modification, which is healthier and safe.

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