Women in Amateur Sumo

[athelitextreme 6]

While in Japan I noticed that there are no women (and probably never will be) amongst the amateur sumo ranks. I'm curious, are there amateur sumo federations in other countries - either because of the culture or simply lack of interest - that have no women?

Thanks. (In a state of confusion...)

[Sasanishiki 57]

On the contrary, there are at least three major amateur sumo tournaments for women in Japan each year. There are the East Japan, West Japan and All-Japan tournaments. Furthermore, the prefectural sumo federations may also run their own prefectural or localised tournaments for women too. there are also tournaments for girls of elementary and junior high school ages (high school girls are included in adult competition in Japan). Admittedly, amateur sumo for women has probably had a harder time being noticed and accepted in Japan than in some other places because it has had to come out from the shadow of ideas that sumo should be male-only. Furthermore, historically women's performances of sumo have been marginalised and given the name onna-zumo (women's sumo) and treated as a spectacle. The nature of onna-zumo has varied, with it being variously tests of strength (not sumo matches), 'proper' sumo matches, and lewd performances of semi-erotic nature. A google search of onna-zumo (in Japanese I think) brings up a niche adult entertainment genre of women grappling bare-breasted.

For more information of women's amateur sumo, try searching for Tsuihiji Rie (or the other way around) on this forum and some posts about her will pop up. Alternatively, you should get hits if you put in shinsumo (new sumo) and joshi sumo (women's [amateur] sumo).

Now, for your second question, there are many national federations who do not have women's teams. Some may do so for cultural reasons (I'm thinking probably Middle Eastern countries) but for many it is also a reflection on the size and organisation of their national federations as a whole. Some countries struggle to put together a male team, let alone a female one. In some places there have been women involved but they retire and there are no others around at that time. My New Zealand federation is an example of this. Some countries have also been represented at Sumo World Championships only by women. There were a couple of years when this was the case for Estonia, if I recall correctly.

[athelitextreme 6]

historically women's performances of sumo have been marginalised and given the name onna-zumo (women's sumo) and treated as a spectacle... lewd performances of semi-erotic nature... a niche adult entertainment genre of women grappling bare-breasted.

This is the historical type of Japanese women's sumo that I've read about & therefore with which I've been familiar.

there are many national federations who do not have women's teams. Some may do so for cultural reasons (I'm thinking probably Middle Eastern countries)...

I'm curious, which federations don't have women for cultural reasons? I wasn't aware of Middle Eastern sumo teams.

Thanks again.

Edited May 3, 2009 by athelitextreme

[Kintamayama 40,632]

Some pictures someone sent me today, by chance..

http://www.zulanews.com/view_article.php?aid=56000

[athelitextreme 6]

Some pictures someone sent me today, by chance..

http://www.zulanews.com/view_article.php?aid=56000

I'm unable to read the language. Is that a Middle Eastern team? Where can I find a list of active Middle Eastern teams?

[Kintamayama 40,632]

Some pictures someone sent me today, by chance..

http://www.zulanews.com/view_article.php?aid=56000

I'm unable to read the language. Is that a Middle Eastern team? Where can I find a list of active Middle Eastern teams?

How can you not read the language? We have three years old kids here who can easily read that.

[athelitextreme 6]

http://www.zulanews.com/view_article.php?aid=56000

I'm unable to read the language. Is that a Middle Eastern team? Where can I find a list of active Middle Eastern teams?

How can you not read the language? We have three years old kids here who can easily read that.

Well maybe your three year old kids understand -

תראו את מתאבקות הסומו האלו שמראות לנו שגם הן רוצות לשחק קצת בכח שלהן

קטגוריה: ספורט, אחר

- and everything else on the site. I don't and I dare say that most people in this forum won't either. (In jonokuchi...)

[Asojima 2,835]

I'm unable to read the language. Is that a Middle Eastern team? Where can I find a list of active Middle Eastern teams?

You might try reading the country name in english on the backs of the wrestlers....

[athelitextreme 6]

You might try reading the country name in english on the backs of the wrestlers....

Thanks! (In jonokuchi...)

[Kintamayama 40,632]

תראו את מתאבקות הסומו האלו שמראות לנו שגם הן רוצות לשחק קצת בכח שלהן

קטגוריה: ספורט, אחר

- and everything else on the site. I don't and I dare say that most people in this forum won't either. (In jonokuchi...)

"Behold these wrestlerettes-they show us that they want to play somewhat with their powers WHEREAS". Category- other.

Biblical.

[Sasanishiki 57]

there are many national federations who do not have women's teams. Some may do so for cultural reasons (I'm thinking probably Middle Eastern countries)...

I'm curious, which federations don't have women for cultural reasons? I wasn't aware of Middle Eastern sumo teams.

Well, you'll note my answer is qualified with "may" and "probably", and it was in response to your original post. Egypt has sent a team to the world Championships before but as far as I'm aware there have never been any women. I know Syria attended the very first World chmaps back in 1992, but that was before amateur sumo for women began.

[Franciscomv 0]

Now, for your second question, there are many national federations who do not have women's teams. Some may do so for cultural reasons (I'm thinking probably Middle Eastern countries) but for many it is also a reflection on the size and organisation of their national federations as a whole. Some countries struggle to put together a male team, let alone a female one. In some places there have been women involved but they retire and there are no others around at that time.

This is pretty much the case in Argentina, we've got few rikishi when compared to other countries in which sumo is more popular and getting women involved is hard. We do our best to get women involved in the sport, but it isn't easy. Every month we do several exhibitions at different venues and we've managed to get a few new male wrestlers to join us, we haven't been as lucky with women.

Right now, there are two girls that come to our keikos (there might be more in other parts of the country that I don't know about, but it's doubtful) both are experienced judo practitioners who've known at least some of our rikishi for years (since they practice judo as well).

[athelitextreme 6]

Right now, there are two girls that come to our keikos (there might be more in other parts of the country that I don't know about, but it's doubtful) both are experienced judo practitioners who've known at least some of our rikishi for years (since they practice judo as well).

How many sumo clubs do you have in Argentina?

[Franciscomv 0]

How many sumo clubs do you have in Argentina?

Although there are some sumo wrestlers scattered around the different judo clubs, there's just one place where keikos are held three times a week, in Buenos Aires (on Saturdays a couple of rikishis from from nearby cities join us as well). During the weekdays only five or six of us can get together to train, on Saturdays we've got around a dozen wrestlers.

There's a university club in La Plata (a city close to Buenos Aires) where a few guys train regularly, they usually join us for Saturday keiko. I'm not sure how many people train there.

[athelitextreme 6]

Does anyone know if the Spanish (as in Spain) sumo team has a website? If so, what's the link? Gracias! (Typing at computer...)

[Sasanishiki 57]

As far as I know, Spain does not have a team. Portugal used to have one, but I think they have only ever been to the European Sumo Championships, not the Sumo World Championships. Kenzo would be the person to ask.

[Mutti 0]

I've got several books at home about sumo. They are quite 'old' though, I've got one called SUMO (original, huh:-)) that's from a TV station or something. I thinks it's from 1980-1985 maybe. It mentions a dohyo kept 'underground' in a new stadium (at that time) in Tokyo and that the dohyo is raised and prepared for a match when necessary, but that at all times it is considered sacred ground and that it may never be touched by shoes - or women......

When did that change, I'm curious

[Jejima 971]

It mentions a dohyo kept 'underground' in a new stadium (at that time) in Tokyo and that the dohyo is raised and prepared for a match when necessary, but that at all times it is considered sacred ground and that it may never be touched by shoes - or women......

When did that change, I'm curious

It hasn't changed for ozumo. Women are still not allowed to touch the dohyo. Amasumo is different.

[Mutti 0]

I get it:-), thank you!!

[MARTAAAAA 0]

In Poland we don't say "sumo amateur" only "sport sumo." Therefore, the assumption being that anyone does not prevent the sport, women as well. Amateur sumo is very different than normal, and therefore it can not be compared with each other. I aim to do the sumo women were even more feminine, and the spectacular sight of fans attracted to allowing for a greater audience and greater promotion of the sport. I do not want people to think about Sumo that he is slow and less interesting, because this is a very dynamic and powerful sport.

Edited June 22, 2009 by MARTAAAAA