Hakuryuho 320 Posted August 12, 2020 Hello everyone, I would like to know if the rikishi get measured correctly and precisely. I read an article from John Gunning stating that if you too short to become a rikishi (below 167cm) you can stand on your tiptoes to clear the 167cm mark. This would suggest that the measurements of wrestlers are not really accurate, sometimes at least. Does anyone have any more information on that topic? Would love to know more about that. Thanks a bunch and have a wonderful day! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asojima 2,855 Posted August 12, 2020 New rikishi who were height challenged used to have silicone implants placed on the top of their head to achieve the minimum height. The newer method of doing toe stands is much more humane. This is likely the only time that heights are fudged. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katooshu 2,937 Posted August 12, 2020 A lot of the time when I see them do measurements, the measurement is taken from above the top of the rikishi's head, adding some extra height. And some of the listings seem off to me...this basho Takagenji was listed at 193cm, but looked barely taller than opponents listed at about 185cm. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asojima 2,855 Posted August 12, 2020 2 hours ago, Katooshu said: A lot of the time when I see them do measurements, the measurement is taken from above the top of the rikishi's head, adding some extra height. And some of the listings seem off to me...this basho Takagenji was listed at 193cm, but looked barely taller than opponents listed at about 185cm. You are probably right. The two entries in the DB list him as 186cm. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benihana 1,871 Posted August 12, 2020 When doing height measurements, the NSK let's out it's WWE-side. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Churaumi 707 Posted August 12, 2020 Let's not even get into their weight measurements... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
shumitto 418 Posted August 13, 2020 Years ago I stood side by side with Tosanoumi (he was very nice, I still have a picture with him), Kitazakura (the nicest of all with fans) Kotonowaka (the senior), Onokuni, Bushuyama, Tochinoshin and others and being 6 feet tall myself, they all looked taller than I as I expected them to be. But the shorter you are, the less liked your billed height tends to correspond to the actual figure, I suppose. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,505 Posted August 13, 2020 1) Hakuho started as a 16-year-old and gained 12 cm (180-192) according to the db. 2) Many of the weights are posted in tenths of a kilogram. Maybe the digital meter effect? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kuroyama 715 Posted August 13, 2020 I would guess it has a lot to do with who does up their mage on the day of the measurement. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ryafuji 802 Posted August 14, 2020 Height requirements are also overlooked in some cases eg. if they have a certain level of attainment in university sumo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Churaumi 707 Posted August 26, 2020 I thought they did away with height requirements when people started getting silicone-enhanced mage? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,505 Posted August 26, 2020 35 minutes ago, Churaumi said: I thought they did away with height requirements when people started getting silicone-enhanced mage? They seem to still be in place, per John Gunning's Jan 2019 article in the Japan Times: 167 cm, 67 kg (tiptoes and drinking lots of water allowed) 165 cm, 65 kg if entering from middle school. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katooshu 2,937 Posted August 31, 2020 Going by ozumo measurements, Hokutofuji and Kiribiyama have grown about an inch and a half in their mid-20s, while Asanoyama has shrunk by about the same amount since turning pro. Basically, I've noticed that they seem to be all over for a lot of the competitors.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,505 Posted August 31, 2020 4 hours ago, Katooshu said: Going by ozumo measurements, Hokutofuji and Kiribiyama have grown about an inch and a half in their mid-20s, while Asanoyama has shrunk by about the same amount since turning pro. Basically, I've noticed that they seem to be all over for a lot of the competitors.... Looking at the DB, the base unit seems to be 0.5 cm, which is ~1/5th of an inch (for you Yanks). If you're hanging a door, you'd better have your measurements to at least that tolerance. If you're measuring a standing human who's swaying a little, has variable width hairdo, and is often measured by a shorter individual (so parallax is a big problem), these numbers are "OK", but the stated precision is bunk. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katooshu 2,937 Posted September 25, 2020 At the 2012 Interhigh Baraki's height was listed at 161 cm...people may have told him he was too short for ozumo, but he had a masterplan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bettega 407 Posted September 27, 2020 On 24/09/2020 at 21:33, Katooshu said: people may have told him he was too short for ozumo Surprisingly enough, Baraka proved them right Share this post Link to post Share on other sites