Sumo originated in Japan and remains the only country where it is widely popular. It is considered a national sport of Japan.

Sumo has origins tied to the Japanese religion of Shintoism. It was originally performed as a ritual for the gods, and to this day, wrestlers purify the ring with salt in accordance with Shinto tradition.

In Japanese, sumo means “striking one another.”

The practice of jujitsu was heavily inspired by sumo.

Modern sumo wrestlers traditionally live in what they call stables, which have their own customs, dress codes, and traditions. However, this lifestyle isn’t exactly healthy, as the life expectancy of a sumo wrestler is considerably lower than that of the average Japanese citizen.

Due to past controversies, a Japanese sumo stable typically allows only one non-Japanese foreigner to train as a sumo wrestler.

Sumo wrestlers were not always overweight. In ancient Japan, virtually anyone of any weight class could compete. However, since there are no weight divisions in the sport, heavier contenders naturally began to dominate.

During Japan’s Middle Ages, it was common for samurai to practice sumo wrestling as a form of combat training.

During the Edo period, sumo wrestling was temporarily banned because it was commonly practiced in the streets and often led to violent brawls.

When many Japanese people began embracing Western customs and culture, sumo wrestling started to be seen as primitive and embarrassing. However, in 1884, Emperor Meiji hosted a sumo tournament that transformed the sport into a national celebration.

The highest rank in sumo wrestling is Yokozuna, a title rarely achieved.

The belts that sumo wrestlers wear hold significant meaning. They typically indicate the wrestler’s rank as well as the stable they belong to.

One unusual rule for sumo wrestlers is that they are forbidden from driving their own cars. This rule was established after a notable sumo wrestler was involved in a serious car accident.

Sumo referees carry knives as a symbolic gesture, as they were traditionally expected to commit seppuku if they made a grave mistake. While this may sound grim, it is purely symbolic today. If a referee makes a controversial decision, he simply resigns instead.