Wrestling from the Canary Islands

[Otokonoyama 2,735]

AICHI EXPO 2005 / Canary islanders wow expo crowds with sumo style

Cameron McLauchlan / Daily Yomiuri Staff Writer

The Canary Islands might be about as far as you can get from Japan, but visitors to the Spanish Pavilion on Monday were treated to a performance of Canarian wrestling that they could be forgiven for thinking was a sumo display.

Similar to sumo, Canarian wrestling involves two contestants who must stay on their feet and use a variety of moves and holds to make some part of their opponent's body touch the ground inside a circular ring. Although they lacked the sheer bulk and physical presence of sumo wrestlers, two Canarian grapplers wowed the crowd as they demonstrated some of the nearly 40 techniques of their sport, including a variety of throws and pull-downs.

Two hefty sumo wrestlers also were on hand to help illustrate the similarities--and differences--between the two sports. After the rikishi demonstrated the sumo ring entry ritual and sumo maneuvers and techniques, two Canarian grapplers performed their sport's equivalent. The thud of bodies being thrown to the ground was remarkably similar, despite the disparity in size between the Japanese and Canarian wrestlers.

Canarian wrestlers wear shirts and long pants rolled up to the thigh. The match begins with the contestants leaning against each other while holding their opponent's pants with one hand and the opponent's free hand with the other. Jose Garcia, 24, has been wrestling since he was 8 and endures a vigorous training regime of 1-1/2 hours weight lifting and 2 hours practice every day to stay in shape. He said he was keen to try his hand at sumo after seeing it on TV, although his ultimate goal is to reach the higher Canarian wrestling ranks rather than making a career switch to the Japanese circuit.

Canarian wrestling, which traditionally is conducted on a circle of sand and originally was used to resolve domestic conflicts or disputes over land ownership, is renowned for its noble nature: When the fight is finished the winner extends his hand to help the loser to his feet, after which he embraces him, and the defeated competitor raises the winner's hand. Garcia's sparring partner at the exhibition, Oscar Fragiel, 24, said he hoped to ensure the traditions of the indigenous sport remained alive and well in the Canary Islands.