Sumo goes global

By Brian Micklethwait | 1 October 2005

Here is a report about trends in Japanese sumo wrestling, which makes sumo's successes and problems sound a lot like those of English soccer's Premier League.

Foreigners - such as Hawaians, Mongolians, Russians, even Europeans and South Americans - are muscling in on top class sumo in Japan. One of the greatest of the present generation of sumo wrestlers is a Bulgarian who goes under the ring name of Kotooshu. He recently had an extraordinary run of success, which was much celebrated on Bulgarian television. But what effect are these foreigners having on their native Japanese rivals?

Their presence is stimulating Japanese wrestlers as well. A new generation of young Japanese wrestlers with unique styles is emerging, such as the 19-year-old Kisenosato, who was in line for the championship until the last day of the autumn tournament, and Toyonoshima, a 170-centimeter juryo wrestler who won 13 matches in a row in the lower division.

The internationalization of sumo has been driven by satellite TV broadcasts of tournaments overseas and constant efforts to make this traditional Japanese sport known to people around the world. More than 80 countries have joined the International Sumo Federation, an organization for amateur sumo.

In 2002 a quota system to limit the numbers of foreigners was introduced. Those favouring the relaxation of this quota say that this would raise standards and boost flagging attendances in Japan. Skeptics say that foreigners dominating Japanese tournaments is a problem rather than a solution. But if Japanese sumo wrestlers were exposed to more foreign competition, wouldn't that encourage them to get even better? And wouldn't this also encourage even more worldwide interest in sumo?