5 votes

Hakuho Cup may allow Hakuho to leave indelible mark on sumo from outside ring

3 comments

  1. [3]
    AugustusFerdinand
    (edited )
    Link
    As usual, if you have any questions about this article or sumo itself in any capacity I'll be happy to answer them. And the video for this excerpt: ...is here:...
    • Exemplary

    As usual, if you have any questions about this article or sumo itself in any capacity I'll be happy to answer them.

    And the video for this excerpt:

    The yokozuna has used his influence to get many others in sumo on board as well. Rikishi such as Toyonoshima, Yoshikaze and Kotoshogiku have been actively involved over the years, with one small child on Kotoshogiku’s team going viral for his incredible efforts against a much larger opponent.

    ...is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Yq-S9KNck - Some great sumo technique shown by this youngster versus a much larger and stronger opponent, demonstrating it's not just size and muscle that matters in sumo.

    2 votes
    1. [2]
      scrambo
      Link Parent
      I know absolutely nothing about sumo, but that entire match seemed incredible to me (especially the ending!). How much of a handicap is that to have the height and weight like that?

      I know absolutely nothing about sumo, but that entire match seemed incredible to me (especially the ending!). How much of a handicap is that to have the height and weight like that?

      3 votes
      1. AugustusFerdinand
        Link Parent
        As well it should because that entire match was incredible! At pretty much all levels of sumo a lack of height and weight is a major handicap. Sumo tends to epitomize the phrase "unstoppable force...

        I know absolutely nothing about sumo, but that entire match seemed incredible to me (especially the ending!).

        As well it should because that entire match was incredible!

        How much of a handicap is that to have the height and weight like that?

        At pretty much all levels of sumo a lack of height and weight is a major handicap. Sumo tends to epitomize the phrase "unstoppable force meets immovable object",1 but there are always exceptions to the rule and sumo has gone through trends over the decades in what body types/strategy is most dominant. While every era has some version of shorter vs taller and lighter vs heavier wrestlers, the more extreme examples in professional sumo have become more prevalent in the last few decades.

        Prior to the 20th century nearly all wrestlers were muscular, but skinny. Of course back then you weren't likely to be able to make a living just doing sumo so you had a job of some sort as well, being of enormous bulk in everyday life (especially in feudal Japan) would be a hindrance. "Modern sumo" officially hit the scene with the reforming of the Japan Sumo Association in 1925 which turned it into a professional sport today with salaries, prize money, etc. As with the development of any professional sport, strategies change over time as people are able to specialize in it. In the 1980's and until the late 90's there was an influx of, mostly foreign, wrestlers that were truly massive with the top division being closer to a 400lb average due to their 500lb+ bulk. Things have settled down as of late with a greater range of techniques and strategies involved.

        While the average size of a wrestler has grown over the 94 years since becoming professional it's not all weight. A quick check shows that the average Japanese citizen has gained 4-6" in height over the last century and it stands to reason that the wrestlers, already some of the tallest individuals in Japan, have gained similarly. Current average male height in Japan is 5'5", the average top division sumo wrestler is an even 6', so you can plot the height increase over the years the same way with it being likely that earlier generations of professional sumo wrestlers being at that 5'5" height. That 6' average is somewhat artificially low because of wrestlers like Enho who is only 5'7" compared to the article's main subject Yokozuna Hakuho who is 6'4".2

        That's not to say they aren't heavy though, just that weight isn't the only part of the equation. The average top division sumo wrestler is 360lbs, which is more 40lbs than NFL linemen, but like Enho bringing the height average down there are some outliers that cause the weight average to move up. Some examples are Ichinojo at 500lbs (he's since lost weight and is in the 440lbs range), Aoiyama and Kaisei are some others that are around 420lbs. Most of the wrestlers are in the 280-340lb range, which is far from being all fat. Despite their appearance, sumo wrestlers in general have a relatively thin layer of fat over their substantial musculature (1, 2, 3), in addition to incredible flexibility and balance. It's truly a sight to behold watching a 6' 300lb man dance on the toes of one foot at the edge of the ring to keep from falling while throwing his opponent out. The sheer athleticism of individuals that don't look like they should be as strong, nimble, or coordinated as they are has great magnetism. Another favorite I like to share as an example is Takayasu's trademark flex at the start of a match that demonstrates the utterly massive trapezius muscles he's hiding.

        Lastly, and to finally answer your question, while size and weight very much matter there are constantly 1-3 wrestlers in the top divisions that are smaller and succeed mostly on speed and technique. Previously the most well known was Czech (Takanoyama](https://youtu.be/SUxkkiwxb3I?t=136), but more recently Enho has become the underdog darling of sumo in Japan. Even with mountains of technique and speed that many others cannot match, it's hard to beat outright power of someone like Tochinoshin that can just lift you kicking and screaming out of the ring. It is worth noting that this is Tochinoshin's signature and he does it with anyone he can regardless of their size.

        1

        This a a match between Chiyonofuji (a legendary and generally unstoppable Japanese wrestler) vs. Konishiki (an American-Samoan that weighed more than 600lbs when he was in sumo)

        2

        Find yourself someone that looks at you the way Enho looks at Hakuho! ❤️

        2 votes