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A typical scene in Japan's traditional wrestling - except the
loin-clothed wrestlers were 11 years old, each weighing more
than many grown men.
"I'm happy, really happy," said victor Hisatsugu Sasaki, who
even at 135kg (298 pounds) still had a child's treble voice. "I
hope to become a professional sumo wrestler."
Sasaki and his opponent, Kyuta Kumagai - who weighs 90 kg - are
chasing the same dream. They want to turn pro, which at the top
ranks, especially the highest rank called yokozuna, can bring
them fortune and make them household names in Japan.
Success depends on being taken into a sumo "stable," where
wrestlers live together and train, with some starting as young
as their mid-teens.
Sumo wrestlers are revered in Japan but all aspects of their
lives are heavily dictated by centuries of tradition.
Occasionally, concerns arise over the weight they gain to
compete. Medical studies show sumo wrestlers die younger
compared with the general population, although this varies
depending on whether they lose weight once their career ends.
When asked, Kumagai's coach, Shinichi Taira said he didn't
really know about the health impact of the weight gain on the
youths, though he said Kumagai's weight is slightly above
average for boy sumo wrestlers his age.
The national Children's Sumo Association says some 40,000
children from ages 10-12 take part in the sport, but not many
plan to become professionals.
Those who do, like Sasaki and Kumagai, work hard.
Kumagai, whose family moved to an area of Tokyo known for sumo
wrestling, showed promise from his first appearance in a
kindergarten tournament. Sasaki, by contrast, has gained
prominence more recently, said Taira.
Towering over other boys at his Tokyo club, Kumagai trains six
days a week in a regime drawn up by his father, a former amateur
sumo wrestler, that includes sumo, weightlifting, swimming, and
track and field - to develop the flexibility and explosiveness
needed for sumo.
The routine, around the regular demands of school, sometimes
brings Kumagai to tears, but it's gleaned results: in 2019 he
claimed the under-10 world championship crown.
"It's fun to beat people older than me," Kumagai told Reuters
after a training session in January.
In October, he became the Children's Sumo Association Grand
Champion for his age group, beating Sasaki along the way.
Their rematch on Sunday, at a national grade school tournament,
was a key step on the path to the future for both, with Kumagai
widely expected to win.
But the competition, consisting of the best from around Japan,
was stiff.
"Sasaki? He's exceptional," said Taira. "This year the kids were
especially big."
As Kumagai's parents filmed from the stands, the two boys lunged
at each other, then grappled their way around the ring in a
hard-fought bout. Sasaki won and went on to claim the
championship.
Kumagai's father, Taisuke, was philosophical. "He put up a good
fight against a very tough rival ... It gives us things to work
on," he said.
The young sumo wrestler was already looking ahead.
"I'm really frustrated," he said. "But there's another
tournament coming up, and I want revenge."
(Reporting by Elaine Lies; Editing by Karishma Singh)
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