Any women out there doing sumo?

[A. M. Jauregui]

I ask this question mainly out of curiosity for I assume that my body type (tall, lean, and with a high center of gravity) is not suited to sumo.

[Rennis]

There is women's sumo. At the Akita Prefectural Sports Center where the jo group I train with is located there is almost always a poster for women's sumo up somewhere. Obviously the clothing is different, with the practitioners wearing something akin to a modified aerobics uniform under the traditional clothing. I never saw them in action though, so I can't tell if and how the rules might vary.

Best,

Rennis Buchner

[John Lindsey]

Great question!

Here is one lady who does...

[Sidarta]

Someone from some other message board sent me a picture of a women in Sumo clothing and apparently in a sumo-like stance. The clothing she was wearing was basically the same I am used to see men wear. She was not even wearing a shirt, her breasts were naked. I would post it here but I am afraid some people could be offended or that would go against the rules of this forum. Naturally if that is actually Sumo clothing there would be no reason for one to be offended but I have no idea whether that picture was for real or not. I mean, if it was actually about Sumo practice or only a costume.

cheers,

Sidarta de Lucca

[Ron Tisdale]

I don't know if she is any good or not, but she certainly looks mean enough!
RT

[A. M. Jauregui]

From my understanding women forbidden from even stepping into a ring, let alone wrestling at the professional level. But the amateur level for women is booming...

I was hoping that one of the other girls on the board would have some personal experience. Oh well, maybe it is time for me to step into the ring and see first hand.

[Oniyama]

There are weight classes, so if you are on lean side don't let that put you off.

WEIGHT CLASSES
The standard international weight classes are:

women’s lightweight: up to 65 kg (143 pounds)
women’s middleweight: up to 80 kg (176 pounds)
women’s heavyweight: over 80 kg (176 pounds)

men’s lightweight: up to 85 kg (187 pounds)
men’s middleweight: up to 115 kg (253 pounds)
men’s heavyweight: over 115 kg (253 pounds)

http://www.usasumo.com/events/2002/women.html
ABC News: Sumo Sisterhood
http://abcnews.go.com/sections/wnt/D...umo021011.html

Taiwan Headlines: Taiwan's female sumo wrestlers win silver
http://www.taiwanheadlines.gov.tw/20...0010802s6.html

Mainichi Daily News: Sumo vs. gender equality
http://www.mainichi.co.jp/english/ne...1/opinion.html

Washington Post: IOC Says All New Sports Must Include Women
http://cgi.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv...icles/ioc2.htm

Women Sumo Wrestlers will compete at the USA SUMO OPEN!
http://www.sushiandtofu.com/sushi_an..._womenSumo.htm

Women Sumo Wrestlers will compete at the USA SUMO OPEN!
http://www.sushiandtofu.com/sushi_an..._womenSumo.htm

Sumo Guru Archive
A sumo book that I have mentions in passing that at one time women participated in sumo, and supposedly still do somewhere. What do you know of either ancient or modern female participation in sumo?
http://www.sumoweb.com/old/sumo_guru/question37.html

Women's sumo wrestles with tradition
http://www.rediff.com/sports/2001/dec/14sumo.htm

Shanghai Daily: Wrestle with tradition
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/star/2001/1220/fe20-1.html

Hope that helps.

Take care,
John Hidalgo

[A. M. Jauregui]

Woo hoo I am a lightweight! Just barely at 143 pounds. Thank you for the links. If I have a go at sumo I will chime back in.

[Oniyama]

Hey Ana,

Since you are in California you really, really really ought to go to the Sumo Clinic with Akebono next week. See www.usasumo.com .

[don]

Originally posted by Sidarta
Someone from some other message board sent me a picture of a women in Sumo clothing and apparently in a sumo-like stance. The clothing she was wearing was basically the same I am used to see men wear. She was not even wearing a shirt, her breasts were naked.

I used to see posters like that in Kabukicho--the red light district. It's kind of the Jpn equivalent of jello wrestling.

[aj16hp]

hi all,know its a old thread but thought might be of interest..have always loved sumo and recently while listening to talk sport, a guest was on talking about a new tv show coming on..its a kind of female sumo school show like challenger, not sure when and much more then that,hopefully its a serious show..
sorry if this as been posted b4 will try and get some more info..hope im not to late!

andy

edited its called Strictly Lady Sumo not sure if i missed it was/will be on channel 4 in uk

[aj16hp]

hi im pretty sure its to be aired later in the year..A.M if ur still interest i will keep a eye out,i maybe able to tape it as ur in usa

andy

[Todd Lambert]

Ladies amateur sumo is known in Japan as shinsumo. More info can be found at SumoFanMag.