What is sumo wrestling?

Sumo is Japan's national sport, dating back over a thousand years. Two wrestlers — called rikishi — compete to push their opponent out of a circular ring (dohyo) or make any part of their body touch the ground. No shoes. No padding. Just a mawashi — a thick belt wrapped around the waist — and technique.

Six major tournaments called basho are held annually, each lasting 15 days. They're major cultural events in Japan, drawing huge crowds and global audiences.

What are the rules of sumo wrestling?

Matches are short, explosive, and decided in seconds. The objective is simple: push your opponent out of the ring or make them touch the ground. Wrestlers use a combination of pushing, pulling, lifting, and throwing. Open-hand strikes are allowed — closed fists, kicks, and eye gouging are not.

Is sumo wrestling a religious practice?

Sumo has deep roots in Shinto ritual — originally performed to honor the gods and pray for a good harvest. Over centuries, particularly during the Edo Period (1603–1868), it evolved into a formalized competitive sport embraced by the samurai class.

The rituals remain. Before every match, wrestlers throw salt to purify the ring, stomp to ward off evil spirits, and perform ceremonial warm-ups that connect them to a thousand years of tradition. Even the mawashi carries symbolic weight — it's not just equipment, it's identity.

[Thinking about your own mawashi? Here's everything you need to know →Mawashi Guide]

What are the ranks in Grand Sumo?

Sumo has six divisions, from Jonokuchi (entry level) up to Makuuchi (the top flight). Within Makuuchi sit the most prestigious ranks: Maegashira, Komusubi, Sekiwake, Ozeki — and at the very top, Yokozuna.Yokozuna are considered living legends, expected to win consistently and embody sumo's highest ideals.

Promotion and demotion are decided purely by tournament performance. Win and you rise. Lose and you fall. No politics, no seniority — just results.

Is there any sumo outside of Japan?

Absolutely. Over 84 nations have joined the International Sumo Federation, with amateur sumo growing fast worldwide. You don't need to be Japanese, huge, or professionally trained to compete. You just need a mawashi and the willingness to step on the dohyo.

Check out our Sumo Training Gear Collectiondesigned to support amateur sumo athletes - handmade mawashi, gym bags, under mawashi shorts, and more!