How to become a sumotori?

[Guest SumoCrazy]

hey i no this has nothing to do with anything else but i have been thinking do any of u no how to become a sumo! although i am to light do u have any tips for that to? :-P

[Kaikitsune Makoto 210]

hey i no this has nothing to do with anything else but i have been thinking do any of u no how to become a sumo! although i am to light do u have any tips for that to?

Hello SumoCrazy!

You didn't give any background information and I have no idea how serious or totally non-serious you are, how old or young you are, how much sports you have done or not etc. but your question is good also in a way that it triggers an interesting thought of how I would prepare for sumo career and hence I swallow the bait :-(

It has something to do with everything else! I don't know how to become sumo but I think you can think of the following on your way:

Eat barley porridge!

Do a lot of suriashi when moving from room to room in your home!

Learn to co-operate with your big toe (use it as balance aid in optimal manner)!

Play with your balance !

Become an old-fashioned fisherman (many well balanced rikishi have been fishermen's sons)!

Learn to know your neck!

Learn and develop impact endurance. Play hockey and be tackled all the time!

Shock absorb with power but intelligence!

Bounce into flexible objects often!

Stand close to semi-hard wall and ask someone to tackle you from various angles and various ways, absorb and hit the wall, bounce back and wait for the next tackle!!

Do exaggerated shiko stomp to strengthen your bones and flexibility!

Triple jump to get superb bone density in tibia!

Train your grip strength by squeezing smallish rubber balls!

Do a lot of abdominal and lower back workouts, also static!

Do keiko with another aspirant as long as you feel like your legs only tremble and don't contract anymore in coherent fashion!

Don't overtrain!

Do a lot of keiko with shotputters and ask them do oshi while you try to get to mawashi!

Push a car as fast as you can and have someone in the car to brake a bit when too easy for you!

Visualize yotsu-sumo in your dreams!

Yank arms in keiko. Do this 100 times per keiko. Kyokushuzan yank!

Train your biceps-triceps endurance a lot with continuous dumbell-sets alternating the hands!

Learn Japanese to get a sumo feeling!

Join amateur sumo club and evaluate the level of motivation and intensity by the others and train a lot with the most motivated one!

Good pain is good pain!

Bad pain is bad pain!!

Learn to distinguish those!!!

Adore good pain. Cherish complete exhaustion!

Know your limits but go beyond them with control!

10 minutes of light keiko every morning to wake up body!

Do sumo for yourself, not for the world!!!

When you become yokozuna, perform shiranui-style yokozuna dohyo-iri!!!!!!!! :-P

[Rijicho 6]

I split this discussion to its own topic.

[Kaikitsune Makoto 210]

Thank you for sharing all these details Daaramu-zeki!

I suppose all those scraping skins, soles of feet and cuts during ukemi are things that are expected from unroughened beginner not accustomed to the killer surface of the dohyo. One thing always makes me wonder though is why this following spectacle is done even nowadays so actively....

Matawari WILL make you want to scream in pain (my right hamstring is STILL messed up).

From medical point of view I can almost feel the ripping of muscle/tendons strings when someone is forcing an inflexible rookie down like they do in matawari. This seems to be a very "dumb" rite for beginners as it can create quite a lot of hamstring problems and am I wrong assuming that many rookies have suffered so much because of this procedure that that possibly contributed strongly to the early retirement?! Getting hamstrings screwed up violently like that can seriously hamper training and the whole idea of getting matawari flexibility ASAP sounds simply stupid. I wonder how nicely guys like Asashoryu may "assist" younger rikishi doing matawari....I hope KaioU wasn't the cause of your prolonged hamstring problems :-)

Then again I am sure many rikishi survive this matawari torture and unphysiological strech which violates the basic rule in streching ie. no violent exceeding of streching limits as then the muscle contracts automatically to protect itself and why contract a muscle you are trying to strech!?

50 push-ups (Japanese style)

Can you tell us how are Japanese style push-ups compared to normal push-ups?

200 wide-leg squats with dumbells

Dumbells held next to ears and the squatting? How big dumbells are used? Tomozuna-beya has weight set? I assume that 200 is not done in a row but with exhaustion interrupted short breaks? 200 squats without breaks even without any dumbells is a not an easy task no matter how much power one has since it requires a lot of endurance...

200 teppo strikes

What is your opinion on the efficiency of teppo? Is it hard for triceps, shoulders and pecs? Is the purpose ever to really hit the pole with FULL strength?

Wow! I will definitely try that Tomozuna-keiko :-D

Gotta do the training bouts at the gym doing heavy lifts but otherwise sounds nice way to torture LEGS!!!!!! Thank you for sharing it!!! Maybe I am the only nutcase on this forum who will actually try this keiko but I like it! (Applauding...)

I had my shot at being a sumotori. I wasn't ready for any of it. I was out of shape, I was passive, I was closed off from everyone. And because of that I couldn't wrestle to save my life, and because of *that* I gave up and went home.

I've regretted it ever since.

It must have been an awkward situation for you though. The fact that you were out of shape already made a huge threshold as keiko was probably a hell to go through. Then realizing how difficult it is to go against guys who have done sumo for a long time and who are already accustomed to the pain and basic techniques. Maybe added some confusion about the fact that you should have been very aggressive (which may be total opposite to your character) and then the subsequent feeling of failure creeping in?.....that path must be one of the most difficult ones I can think of but like people said earlier when you came back and announced your return from sumo, you still took a shot at it and tried to make it in there. I am sure you can use that experience as a jumping board to other challenges.

And you have done butsugari-keiko with KaioU! B-)

[Jesinofuji 11]

If I wanted to become a Sumo Wrestler (and were 10 years younger and 20+ kg bigger), I would opt to not join a heya right away. I would enter a Japanese university, join its Sumo club/team and if I had a successful university Sumo life I would move on to professional sumo in a heya later. This way you could do Sumo without going through all of the above, and if successful, join the heya at a higher rank than usual, and not have to suffer from some of the ridicule lower ranked rikishi have to go through.

I wonder if Daaramu-zeki is Ryan Evans.

[Takanobaka 0]

I wonder if Daaramu-zeki is Ryan Evans.

Or if SumoCrazy is Ryan D. Evans....

[Ryunokaze 0]

The most interesting thread I have read here,yet.

A real insight into the world of Ozumo.

Mighty fine.

Daaramu,

I would be very interested in your views on how some of the bouts have been won or lost during a basho as you seem the perfect person to point out the subtle(or not) ways a rikishi gains the upper hand through tactics,waza,technique etc.

A quick question.Why are the thrusts delivered from that position, close to the body?

Is it purely for the upward motion?

(Sign of approval)

Edited October 13, 2003 by Ryunokaze

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

I wonder if Daaramu-zeki is Ryan Evans.

Yes, he is.

[Ryunokaze 0]

Daaramu,

You seem rather hard on yourself.

I lurk at keiko and wish for one morning of getting clay between my toes(and everywhere else).Very sad I know.

There are other good views on technique about the place but it seems to me to carry more weight from somebody who has been there, as a participant,no matter for how long(not sure about Kaikitsune`s background but I like his posts).

I have not seen much on the net that goes into the hows and whys of technique and training.Maybe I haven`t looked enough.It seems mostly a lot of armchair experts like myself asserting thier opinions, and thats okay but I think straight talk on technique and tactics(apart from henka) is sadly lacking.

I for one would value your input as an ex-clayfoot. (Sign of approval)

All the best.

[Onnagumo 4]

Anyway, you can still add '-zeki' if you want, but I'd prefer that you didn't.

Sure, I will leave the -zeki off if you want me to. But I think that on this list, the one who is most entitled to wear this title is you. After all, you have experienced the real thing, and that is more than any of us can say. (Applauding...)

I agree with Ryunokaze: you are very hard on yourself.

Pleeeeeease, keep on telling us about life in a sumobeya every now and then.....

:-) This thread is still only short, but it is already one of the best if you ask me B-) :-D

[Kaikitsune Makoto 210]

I have not seen much on the net that goes into the hows and whys of technique and training.Maybe I haven`t looked enough.It seems mostly a lot of armchair experts like myself asserting thier opinions, and thats okay but I think straight talk on technique and tactics(apart from henka) is sadly lacking.

I know...I had some brief correspondence with Shiroikuma 1-2 years ago and he explained shiko into detail and that was utterly fascinating stuff! For some reason i can't find his post now in my folders so can't forward it here.

The main reason why techniques, hows and whys are not covered much (in addition to lack of interest/knowledge) must be the lack of info on keiko and especially younger rikishi's development keiko. Therefor Daaramu's post was a real diamond! Only other training regime that I know of is located here:

http://home.hiroshima-u.ac.jp/sumoclub/Eng...ge/E-index.html

not sure about Kaikitsune`s background

Well I am not sumo wrestler (Applauding...)

In a nutshell: I have done a lot of various sports and keiko. Judo is closest to sumo. I like working out and learning about kinesiology and eveything related to physical stuff. Human body is a miraculous machine and one part of it is the sceletal physiology. Freedom of using mind is important but freedom of using body is very important too. Why ignore one's own body? One lives with that the whole life! This basal interest expands then to overall analysis of utilization of power, agility, balance in every day tasks and naturally mostly in sports.

In sports I pay attention to physics and skill synergy, adaptation etc. Throughout the years I have found that I find all this exceptionally interesting, both when doing sports myself and also when observing.

In sumo there are countless of details in how rikishi are strong and how some are not. Judo experience helps in understanding the practical approach in throws and leg trips (it is amazing how good Kaiho is in uchigake...), work out experience and going to the limits helps to understand the power generation. If you want to see incredible hip power, watch Kasugao (although he has totally disappointed my expectations so far...)

But I would really like to try how hidari-yotsu feels like! How can one exert power in that. Especially the dilemma that why do some rikishi generate more power with their more powerful arm in shitate (Nada) and some with uwate (Wakanosato). There must be some fine detail there which is difficult to analyze without actual experience in that.

In sumo analysis the cascade phenomenon works perfectly. The more you understand, the more you see. The more you see, the more you can learn to understand. Self-feeding circle. Unfortunately same goes vice versa too: The less you understand, the less you see. The less you see, the less you find sumo details interesting and the less you even want to understand. So to all new sumofans with wet dripping behind the left ear, I would sincerely recommend to try hop into the positive cascade even with small velocity and avoid the negative cascade at the beginning because later it will be more difficult to reverse the trend :-D

It took me 3 years to learn how the kabu system goes despite often reading about it and wondering how does that work....just never had the urge to find the kabu cascade :-) Now all kabu posts make a lot more sense and is moderately interesting..sometimes! B-)

[Johnofuji 232]

Daaramu (the sumo formerly known as Daaramu-Zeki)

I just wanted to say thanks for listing the training schedule.Without a full time oyakata to coach us I often end up getting some of my best instruction from local Japanese restraunteurs(much to the dismay or delight of patrons-depending on who goes home wearing their dinner after having it shitatenaged all over them).

I finally tried 500 shiko in a row after a 1 hour Boot camp style jump and giggle class at he gym and surprisingly I can still walk upright the day after.When I first started sumo 10 years ago 50 or 100 shiko were challenging especially when I was carrying excess potential muscle. Unfortunately I dont have someone to beat me with a big stick to make sure I didnt stopped for more than 5 seconds or for the times I lost balance when distracted by some healthy "eye-candy" in spray-on lycra.

The whole ritual took about 30 or 40 minutes.I am assuming form is more important than speed.Is this correct? I also hope that my form was up to scratch.A few years ago when Konishiki visted our stable he politely told us we were crap at shiko (and every other aspect) so I have endeavoured to get it right .I got a grunt of approval from the visiting Nittai Dai University team recently but the further I go into the ins and outs of sumo training the deeper it gets.The more training I do the more I realise I need.Due to the lack of reliable training partners and daily keiko I have even taken up Yoga of all things to help with matta wari and strengthening.I managed to get the yoga instructor (a former black belt in 5 disciplines) to add a few sumo specific stretches into the routine. My salad dodging days just seemed a lot simpler but I do draw the line at ever bothering to do something as hollywood as pilates unless someone can convince me it would help my sumo.

After learning most of my Japanese from watching Sumo digest and adapting the viewing into a drinking game (You get to drink if you call the shikona and technique before anyone else) I realised that there is a big difference between identifying the move and actually executing it.

Question: What is the best way to learn the winning techniques? Is it to use them as the situation arises or are they best learned in a particular order by repetitious kata like in other martial arts?

Now I am under the metric ton should I focus on a set of moves that a lighter rikishi finds sucessful and if so which ones do you recommend?

Feel free to set me homework or dohyowork.

I don't do serious weights as I have always found there is plenty to do using your own body weight or the resistance against another. I suppose it would help but my understanding was that supplementary weight training sessions were traditionally not as popular until Chiyonofuji started getting such wicked results.

Any input from yourself or others would be greatly appreciated and no need to be humble about it as I have maximum respect for anyone who has ever done sumo or even those who choose to experience it vicariously and keep me up to date on this forum.The offer is there if you or anyone else would like to be a cyber oyakata.

I am off to do another 500 shiko and then a sumo challenge at midnight in a park overlooking the Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge(The famous coathanger) against a sushi chef who claims to be a 4th dan ex Japan national Judo Champion.

Gotsuandesu

Johnofuji

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

What an interesting thread ;-)

What is matawari?

Are illustrations of any of these exercises available online?

[Yubiquitoyama 4]

What an interesting thread ;-)

What is matawari?

Are illustrations of any of these exercises available online?

Shiroikuma has illustrations of some of it.

http://shiroikuma.com/keiko.htm

[Guest Panfilo]

Can anyone tell me how a person would go about joining a heya?

I am doing research for a screenplay, and any insight into the process of becoming a professional sumotori would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Fujisan 533]

I cant help you with your question Panfilo but I just wanted to say a hearty welcome to the forum-Take time to introduce yourself at the "member introduction" subforum.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

From what I've seen, it's rare for the future rikishi to seek out a heya himself. More commonly, someone who knows the oyakata notifies the oyakata of a promising talent. The oyakata or his representative then schedules a meeting with the hopefuly rikishi if the oyakata is in the area. I don't know if these meetings involve any demonstrations (e.g. pushups or what not), but I imagine they do. The oyakata then makes the decision on whether to invite the possible rikishi into the heya.

[Guest Mojo]

Reading this intresting thread, it's so annoying for me that I was not here when it was happening (Clapping wildly...)

[Takanobaka 0]

Reading this intresting thread, it's so annoying for me that I was not here when it was happening (Applauding...)

Don't worry, you'll be here for many interesting threads in the future! (Clapping wildly...)

[Ryunokaze 0]

Its a real shame that Daaramu does not post here more often.

[aderechelsea 125]

i found out this thread today and i am very glad i did (i should search all threads and not only the ones on the first page....... :-D )

Reading all this i realised better what it is to be a rikishi....... ;-)

a very interesting "inside" view on sumo and its training.

i would love to see more of this on his forum.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

Sorry to go a bit off-topic, but as I was reading your (aderechelsea-zeki) signature, I was thinking why does he group the San Antonio Spurs (NBA) with the two Premier League soccer teams? Then I realized you probably mean Tottenham, right?

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Most likely Tottenham Hotspurs.

[aderechelsea 125]

Sorry to go a bit off-topic, but as I was reading your (aderechelsea-zeki) signature, I was thinking why does he group the San Antonio Spurs (NBA) with the two Premier League soccer teams? Then I realized you probably mean Tottenham, right?

(In a state of confusion...)

(Exclamation...)

Rottenham it is indeed..............

(Exclamation...)

[aderechelsea 125]

from my boxing experience i would imagine teppo would be great for enpowering your tsupari.

This training technique resembles the "hard sack" boxers use for hardening their crosses and maybe the jabs too (jabs improve better with waist training) ......

i would try to make these excersises mention above just to take a taste of th estrain on those athletes bodies.

(i will find it hard though to do keiko here in Greece.All of our rikishis are out of town...... (In a state of confusion...) )