Sumo wrestling

Sumo is a big thing in Japan. Its supposed to be spiritual, and its definitely rich in history. Seeing 2 colossus bodies come together make you think why would people invent such brutal sports without any finesse? You have to go see for yourself. Its better than watching soccer or baseball... seriously.

A view of the ring and the crowd. Notice the roof on top of the ring. Long time ago in the Edo era, sumo was fought in a pavillion for the samurai lords to see. Now, with the stadium seats, you can't do that, so the elevate the roof.



Announcers like this one sings out the names of the competitors in the coming match. Yes, sing.



The sumos from the premier league of Makuuchi gets to make a grand entrance into the ring wearing this heavy piece of silk cloth. Notice he isn't Japanese, many sumos are not Japanese, including the current Yokosuna (Best fighter) is Mongolian.



Sprinkling salt to purify the ring.



"Yoisho", the crowd shouts as the sumo lifts his leg off the ground simulating the noise you'd make lifting a heavy object. The higher the sumo's leg goes, the louder the crowd shouts with glee.



Ready, set....



Off they go!!



Caught this sumo in mid-flight as he lurched at his opponent, hoping to throw him off-balance!



Out of the ring he goes. 2 ways to lose. Step out of the ring, or have any of your body other than you feet touch the ground. Its really a balancing act. Not easy at all.



Slack.