IS JAPAN COOL? DISCOVER
1. A rikishi is a wrestler in this traditional Japanese sport.
2. Dressed only in a belt called mawashi, pairs of rikishi battle each other in a ring known as a dohyo. A wrestler loses when shoved outside the ring, or when any part of the body — other than the foot sole — touches the ground.
3. Sumo wrestlers appear obese. Actually, their percentage of body fat is just about 20%.
4. The meal popular among the wrestlers is called chanko, a Japanese hot pot dish (nabe). This hearty cookery is often served at special chanko restaurants, also available to sumo fans and hungry diners.
5. Most rikishi live in the Ryogoku area of eastern Tokyo, where the Kokugikan (sumo stadium) and a number of sumo stables are located.
WINNING SUMO MOVES (kimarite)
Uwatenage (overarm throw)
A common sumo technique. The attacker reaches over the opponent’s arms and grips his mawashi. Then, he heaves the opponent onto the clay surface of the ring and turns away.
Tsukiotoshi (thrust down)
The attacker places his open hand on the opponent's upper rib cage or shoulder, using a thrusting motion to drive his opponent down onto the ring.
Shumokuzori
(bell-hammer backwards body drop)
The attacker ducks under his opponent’s arm. Then, he lifts the opponent up and tips him over backwards.
