Changes

[[File:Sumo wrestlers.jpg|right|300px|thumbnail|Sumo [[wrestling]] ceremony in Japan]]

[[File:Sumo wrestlers.jpg|right|300px|thumbnail|Sumo [[wrestling]] ceremony in Japan]]

'''Sumo''' is a traditional [[Japan|Japanese]] style of [[wrestling]], and is often regarded as the national [[sport]] of Japan.

'''Sumo''' is a traditional [[Japan]]ese style of [[wrestling]], and is often regarded as the national [[sport]] of Japan.

Sumo wrestlers are usually very large, appearing overweight to the point of [[obesity]], although they also tend to be very strong and are fit enough to cope with intense physical activity over short periods of time. While competing, they wear a special loincloth called a mawashi and also do their hair in a particular form of topknot according to their rank. A match is over if a wrestler is thrown out of the ring by his opponent, or if any part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground.

Sumo wrestlers are usually very large, appearing overweight to the point of [[obesity]], although they also tend to be very strong and are fit enough to cope with intense physical activity over short periods of time. While competing, they wear a special loincloth called a mawashi and also do their hair in a particular form of topknot according to their rank. A match is over if a wrestler is thrown out of the ring by his opponent, or if any part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground.

Sumo is a very traditional sport, and there are many written and unwritten rules concerning competitors' appearance and behavior. In recent years, significant numbers of non-Japanese wrestlers have started to compete in Japan, particularly from [[Mongolia]] and the former [[Soviet Union]]. This has led to controversy, as these outsiders tend not to have the same respect for sumo's traditions, instead treating it like any other sport where any practice within the letter of the regulations is fair game.

Sumo is a very traditional sport, and there are many written and unwritten rules concerning competitors' appearance and behavior. In recent years, significant numbers of non-Japanese wrestlers have started to compete in Japan, particularly from [[Mongolia]] and the former [[Soviet Union]]. This has led to controversy, as these outsiders tend not to have the same respect for sumo's traditions, instead treating it like any other sport where any practice within the letter of the regulations is fair game.

==See Also==

==See also==

*[[Ssireum]] - a similar [[Korea|Korean]] form of wrestling.

*[[Ssireum]] - a similar [[Korea]]n form of wrestling.

*[[Atheism and obesity]]

*[[Atheism and obesity]]

*[[Atheistic Japan and obesity]]

*[[Atheistic Japan and obesity]]

[[Category: Japan]]

[[Category:Japan]]

[[Category: Martial Arts]]

[[Category:Martial Arts]]