How does one become a sumo wrestler?
Becoming a Sumo Wrestler Sumo wrestling is not an occupation – it’s a way of life. It can take up to ten years to become a professional fighter, and requires a lifetime’s dedication. Sumo wrestlers usually begin as teenagers. They join schools which teach the basics of Sumo, history, and technique. Scouts from professional Sumo ‘stables’ tour the schools to find the most promising recruits. The first criterion is weight. A Sumo wrestler weighs up to 280 kilos, so the scouts look for athletic boys with stocky builds and big bones. They do not recruit obese boys, because obesity often indicates lack of discipline, and the scouts do not believe they will be able to withstand the punishing Sumo regime. Once the recruits are selected, they are committed to years of strict training. Sumo wrestlers are called rikishi. The youngest rikishi rise between 4 – 5am. They begin with stretching and exercises. The high ranking rikishi start training at around 9am. The junior rikishi assist them with t
