Japan is renowned for its fascinating culture and history. An element of Japanese culture that many people associate with the country is sumo wrestling.
Sumo wrestlers play a large part in Japanese culture, having been around for centuries. To other cultures, sumo wrestling may seem odd. However, this is a very specialized skill. Sumo wrestling is not for everyone.
It takes plenty of stamina, a big build, as well as significant strength. Without this strength, sumo wrestlers are unable to compete.
So, how strong are sumo wrestlers? Find out below.
What Is Sumo Wrestling?
Sumo wrestling, or just sumo, is a competitive sport in Japan. This sport first began in the mid-16th century and has since grown into an international sport.
Many people are quick to recognize the sport due to the distinctive appearance of the opponents. Typically, those who compete in sumo are heavyweight wrestlers, meaning they are significantly larger than the average competitor.
To win, one has to push the other competitor outside of a marked circle, often using all of their strength and force to do so.
Whilst amateurs can be played with a mix of people and genders, this is deemed a sport that only men can play when it comes to playing professionally.
How Strong Are Sumo Wrestlers?
Sumo wrestlers are very strong and athletic. Without this strength, competitors won’t win. Often sumo wrestlers weigh between 300 and 400 pounds. To beat their opponent, a wrestler must be capable of pushing this weight.
After all, how can a wrestler push their opponent out of the ring if they cannot lift their body weight?
The average man, with little to no training, can bench between 130 and 170 pounds. This highlights just how strong sumo wrestlers are, since they can easily lift double the average.
It is necessary to note that a sumo wrestler’s strength is not like your typical strongman’s. These wrestlers don’t need to rely on heavy weights yet their body is simply trained to be much stronger.
Constantly sumo wrestlers train to improve their muscular endurance. They need to have good mobility, speed, and flexibility.
Because matches are so quick (some can end in a matter of seconds) sumo wrestlers should also be prepared to put all of their maximum energy in from the start.
Why Are Sumo Wrestlers Bigger?
If you search for ‘sumo wrestlers’ online or watch a match, you will quickly notice that the sumo wrestlers are much bigger than most sportsmen, typically being overweight.
They do not have the stereotypical athletic body associated with other sports, such as soccer or rugby.
The weight of a sumo wrestler gives them an added advantage, helping them to push their opponent outside of the circle. As well as this, having a bigger stomach makes it more difficult for their opponent to wrap their arms around them to lift them out of the ring.
There is a misconception that just because a person is overweight, they will not have much energy or the strength to fight. This assumption is completely wrong because sumo wrestlers do indeed have plenty of muscle and the majority of them are surprisingly agile.
Do Sumo Wrestlers Need To Exercise?
Sumo wrestlers are not bodybuilders that look for big pecs and a six-pack, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to exercise. Sumo is an intense sport that not just any person can do.
It takes plenty of practice and physical power. The main focus of this exercise is to mimic the movements of sumo wrestling.
Sumo Wrestler Eating Habits
Many people wonder about a wrestler’s eating habits. How do they reach such large weights? The ironic thing about this question is that sumo wrestlers are not eating all day at all.
In fact, they often will only eat two meals a day – one at noon and one in the evening. This, alongside exercise, is all they need to bulk up.
For a sumo wrestler, breakfast is no longer the most important meal of the day. Instead, they will take this time to either rest up or train. When noon comes around, it is time for their first meal of the day, which will most likely be chankonabe.
Chankonabe is well known to these wrestlers and is a hearty stew that many professionals opt for. It is considered the best tool to gain weight and provide energy.
This stew is packed with plenty of vitamins, protein, and nutrients, which allow a healthy weight gain. In the evening, they will eat another large meal of their choosing, which may be the same stew or something different.
When it comes to how many calories a sumo wrestler eats a day, there is no definite answer. However, some are known to eat as much as 7000 calories in a single day – sometimes more!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Sumo Wrestlers Live Together?
Yes, sumo wrestlers live together. This place is called a sumo stable under the sumo master. Their lifestyle is strict, consisting of daily training and practice matches. These sumo wrestlers have to eat, sleep, and train together on a strict routine.
Are There Female Sumo Wrestlers?
Although females can compete in amateur matches, there is a strict no-female policy when it comes to playing as a professional. This has been a tradition since the start of sumo and is still in place to this day.
What Is Chankonabe?
Chankonabe is a hot stew eaten by sumo wrestlers to gain weight. This stew consists of tofu, vegetables, fish, and meat.
How Much Should A Sumo Wrestler Eat A Day?
Typically, you will find sumo wrestlers ingesting anything from 4000 to 7000 calories a day.
Final Thoughts
Sumo is an interesting sport that generates a lot of questions, particularly on the life of the sumo wrestler. Sumo wrestlers may be large but they are far from unhealthy.
Instead, they train for years to become incredibly strong. It is this strength that helps them become the best in the sport!
Hi, I’m Jason Patrick, and for as long as I have been alive, I have been obsessed with Japanese culture. From the sights and sounds of Japan’s many cities to its culinary delights that have become famous worldwide, I simply cannot get enough of this wonderful nation!
I hope that, by exploring this website, you all will develop a much deeper appreciation for Japan, and that it may even influence you to pay it a visit yourself eventually! It is definitely a trip of a lifetime, and whether you experience it firsthand, or through my own website, I’m sure you will become just as passionate as I always have been!
