Sumo - Exhibition Tournament

Though our timing had us between the major tournaments of the year, we were lucky enough to get to see an exhibition match.

The preparation of the ring was both beautiful and ritualistic, and the whole day felt to have as much to do with tradition as it did sport.

During the ring-entering ceremony (dohyo-iri) each team was announced, and filed in and around the ring until it was filled.

East and West were represented by wrestlers (with the more lofty rank of yokozuna) who, in a display of flexibility and strength, enacted a set sequence of moves.

The ring was mic'ed, and the powerful claps rung through the arena (Ryogoku Kokugikan Sumo Arena is a dedicated sumo arena).

For a first time viewer, the size of the wrestlers was quite something, but more than this was my surprise at the speed of these huge men.

Only becoming familiar with the rules as each bout played out, I was surprised to see open hand "slaps" to be legal, and was rapt with the agility and strength of the wrestlers.

And my attempt at an "action sequence" :-)

The day's winner is presented with an archery bow, which he proceeded to twirl while moving about the ring in a victory display.

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