Sexy back: a trip to the sumos

Well, most definitely one of the highlights of the trip so far was a trip to possibly the worlds sexiest sport, sumo wrestling... I do not use the word sexy lightly, and I apologise to the Lakers (possibly the world's sexiest team), all synchronised swimmers (what isn't sexy about pegs, gymnasts and legs going everywhere) and the grabbing and holding of greco-roman wrestling, but the sight of grossly overweight men using the inside of tyres as g-strings is a sight to behold! It was the March Grand Tournament, Asashoryo was gunning for his 5th straight tournament victory, so the expectation was high...

We arrived early (about 9), and there was hardly anyone there! The juniors were strutting their stuff and the bouts were certainly entertaining... the ceremony of each bout takes about 7 times as long as the actual bout, which can last anything from 5 seconds to 2 minutes, but more likely closer to five seconds! These bouts continued for the best part of 4 hours before the high profile wrestlers started to arrive...

We spotted one of the largest pairs of breasts we have ever seen! And no, it wasn't Pamela sitting ringside, but rather one of the junior sumo's... He was possibly a double z cup... a really big unit... If Bob and Gillian are looking to start a Japanese series he could be the no 1 contender! We are assured by all Japanese they are very healthy species though (this school of thought is not held by me!).

At 2.30 the first ceremony, as all the wrestlers from the division paraded around the ring...there was some weird drumming and polite applause for each wrestler!

Had real trouble following the program, as the announcing was all in Japanese, as was the program... however, I began to recognise some of the heavyweights from the colour program we bought (awesome souvenir)! The big difference in Japan is they really want the champions to win, where as at home we all want them to lose (take Lleyton for example! Disgraceful attitude Australia!). Therefore the real crowd hero was Asashoryo, who was the last bout, as he is the highest rank of Sumo

(He's not even Japanese, he's Mongolian!). He won, the crowd went wild and then the day was over at 6.30. A long day full of ceremony, ritual and action. It needs to be seen to really be believed!

Jodi and Asashoryo