What in the World This is what it takes to be a sumo wrestler
Oct 30, 2025
Join BBC journalist Mariko Oi as she delves into the fascinating world of sumo wrestling, Japan’s national sport with over 1,500 years of history. Discover the intense training regimes, where wrestlers consume a whopping 10,000 calories daily, including the hearty chanko nabe. Hear from Aonishiki Arata, a Ukrainian wrestler training in Japan, about his disciplined daily life. Fans Mirai and Ricardo share their love for the sport’s speed, strategy, and tradition, while Mariko highlights sumo's growing international presence, including tournaments now being held in London.
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From Ritual To Spectator Sport
- Sumo began as a Shinto ritual to pray for a good harvest and evolved into spectator sport during the Edo period.
- The sport mixes religious roots, cultural tradition, and rigorous physical training.
Simple Rules, High Physical Demand
- Winning in sumo requires forcing the opponent out of the ring or making them touch the ground with anything other than their feet.
- Unlike many sports, sumo has no weight classes so size and technique both critically matter.
Life Inside A Sumo Stable
- Mariko visited a sumo beya (stable) and described communal life under an oyakata who trains and cares for wrestlers.
- She highlighted intense daily routines of stretching, weight work, and frequent eating.