Ahead of this year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, the International Olympic Committee are introducing six new sports: karate, climbing, surfi ng, baseball, softball and skateboarding. But plenty more have missed out – among them, Japan’s national and oldest sport, sumo wrestling.
YOU CAN WATCH SOME SUMO ACTION IF YOU’RE LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE HEADING OUT TO JAPAN THIS SUMMER. TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW: SUMO.PIA.JP/EN
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Combining balance, aggression and surprising speed, becoming a grand champion ’yokozuna’ – the sport’s highest rank – takes a lifetime of commitment.