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Zoey Zhang

It is one of the most iconic sights in sport.
Two burly, bare-chested wrestlers face off before trying to force their opponent to the ground or out of the ring using time-honoured techniques and brute force.
This is sumo and it is the national sport of Japan.
But there is a glitch, despite the country’s love of the larger-than-life grapplers, non-Japanese wrestlers dominate this unique form of one-on-one combat.
Here, the Post explains why.
Origins
Originating in Japan, sumo boasts a 1,500-year history, evolving from mythical tales of strength competition into a ritualistic offering for bountiful harvests, then serving as combat training for warriors, and gradually transitioning into a popular form of entertainment.
In ancient times, it was a spectacle reserved exclusively for the Japanese emperor.

As it developed and was promoted by the government, sumo gradually became a national sport with millions of fans.
High and mighty
The title of yokozuna, or grand champion, is the highest rank bestowed upon sumo wrestlers, the position is denoted by a 20kg rope worn around the waist. Holders of the title are revered as national idols.
Up until July 2021, there were a total of 73 yokozuna.
In 1993, the first non-Japanese yokozuna emerged, Akebono Taro, born in the United States. The second was Musashimaru Koyo, born in American Samoa, a US territory in the South Pacific.
In 2003, the third non-Japanese yokozuna, Asashoryu Akinori, was a Mongolian wrestler. Since then, Mongolians have dominated the space.
Among the five Mongolian yokozuna fighters are Asashoryu, who is known for his violent style, and Hakuho Sho, who is lauded for his consistency of performance.
Hakuho had won a record 45 tournaments before retiring in 2021.
Asashoryu is particularly well known because of his use of sheer size to humble opponents.
Why Mongolian dominance?
Their success is largely down to the fact that wrestling is big in Mongolia, the country’s version is called bohk.
Mongolian wrestling comprises over 300 throwing and kicking techniques, making it one of the most formidable hand-to-hand combat styles.
The country has two main economic pillars, minerals and agriculture, and because of this, moving to Japan to become a sumo wrestler is a chance for Mongolians to change their destiny.
Excellent physique and wrestling skills allowed the Mongolians to quickly distinguish themselves from Japanese sumo wrestlers.
As the largest landlocked country in the world, Mongolia borders China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region and shares a closely related nomadic culture.
Russian Sambo and Chinese shuai jiao, or wushu-style wrestling, are heavily influenced by Mongolian wrestling, and in 2006, it was listed as an intangible cultural heritage by China.
Most famous wrestlers in China are also Mongolians who display exceptional physical prowess, characterised by a long upper body, short lower body, and well-developed muscles.
The only Chinese-Mongol wrestler in the history of yokozuna, Sokokurai Eikichi, hails from the Inner Mongolia autonomous region in northern China.
By 2023, 69 sumo wrestlers had listed Mongolia as their birthplace, 13 listed mainland China, 12 listed Taiwan, and one from Hong Kong.
Becoming sumo

Every wrestler belongs to one of the more than 50 sumo stables in Japan.
Stables are where the wrestlers live and train. They are managed by stablemasters, retired sumo wrestlers who were prominent in their prime.
A wrestler’s day begins at 5am, starting with splits and deep squats to enhance muscle strength and flexibility. They skip breakfast to avoid vomiting during training.
Sumo wrestlers also must adhere to the sport’s strict requirements for cultural literacy, including learning traditional poetry.
The lowest rank of sumo wrestlers, known as Juryo, earn 1.1 million yen (US$7,300) per month.
Yokozuna earn a lot more, their monthly income can reach 2.8 million yen (US$19,000), and even after retirement, they continue to receive a high salary.


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Ancient combat sport is revered in Japan but not dominated by Japanese
Post explains history of sumo and why outsiders excel at event


Think sumo wrestling and Japan immediately comes to mind, but the country’s national sport has a majority of top fighters from Mongolia. The Post explains why.


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Explainer

Explainer | Sumo is national sport of Japan, so why do Mongolian fighters dominate? What it takes to make a great giant grappler

Ancient combat sport is revered in Japan but not dominated by Japanese Post explains history of sumo and why outsiders excel at event

Origins

Ancient combat sport is revered in Japan but not dominated by Japanese

Post explains history of sumo and why outsiders excel at event