The newest thing to come to Vegas is 1,500 years old, and we’re not talking about Phyllis Diller. It’s the ancient martial art of sumo wrestling, which dates back to 8th century Japan.
This is two men in a circle of dirt. But as spectator Peter Ridgeway says: “It’s two men who take it as seriously as most people take religion. All the professional sports in the U.S. are just about bucks. ”
So how popular is sumo? It’s like football is to Americans and soccer is to Europeans. It is the center of the sport world in Japan and the center of sumo is in the dohyo.
One reason for sumo’s popularity is its simplicity. You win by knocking your opponent out of the doyho or by bringing him down to the floor, as demonstrated by American sumo star Musashimaru when I tried to knock him down using my entire body weight ” to no avail.
So I asked: If I want to sumo, how do I use my weight to my advantage?
“You run, “he said. Run in the other direction, he clarified.
Little has changed since sumo began. It’s still steeped in ceremony and formality from the low-tech maintenance of the ring to the traditional costumes of the kimono and mawashi, and the stoic parade of the competitors that begin each tournament. But now the sport is attracting a new generation of fans and competitors.
So I put on a body suit and the traditional mawashi, and walked around the concession stand to see if I could get some fans.
“I think you need to put on a few pounds before you enter the ring, man. You are looking a little skinny, “said one man. “I’ll buy you some nachos, man. “Others passing by just laughed.
I tried to affirm my position. “I appreciate that. I’m very big in Japan, “I said. He was incredulous. “Are you? What’s your Japanese name? ”
“My Japanese name? Never Won, “I said.
Matches are scheduled one after another, and wrestlers use the time before each bout to stretch and strategize because sumo is just as much about the mind as it is the body. The actual contest often takes less than 10 seconds.
So I practiced and found out what it was like to fly. Of course, I totally took down my opponent.
You may think that to get so big, sumo wrestlers are constantly eating. But they only have two meals a day: lunch and dinner. One of their strategies is to immediately go to sleep after they eat to pack the pounds, quite literally.
But don’t mistake these warriors for chubby guys doing belly bumps ” they’ll hurt you. Former world champion Konishiki says it’s a passion, a calling.
“Why sumo? Why not ice dancing? “I asked.
“For me, ice dancing? “he said. “The ice would crack if I stood on the ice. ”
Koniski doesn’t have to worry about the “icecapades “because, if the enthusiasm in Vegas is any indication, America has an appetite for this pure and simple sport.
Sumo fan Larry Brugger said: “I don’t watch baseball. I don’t watch football. I watch golf and sumo. ”
After I got in the ring, I realized that I should stick with golf.
Wrestling Gear
