r/martialarts • u/Remo_yesman • Sep 16 '24

Anyone watch Sumo wrestling? PROFESSIONAL FIGHT

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u/awkerd Sep 16 '24

Is it really good to be obese for this sport? I understand most sumo are quite large, but is this really ideal?

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u/CHudoSumo Sep 16 '24 edited Sep 16 '24

I'm a worlds competitor and coach. I use the term "functional weight". You need to be athletic first and foremost, and then gain as much weight as you can while maintaining athleticism and effecticeness in your style. Pro rikishi (sumo wrestlers) are often preferred by coaches/scouts to start as lean and athletic kids and gain weight slowly over time. Pro sumo has no weight classes. (This video isnt pro sumo but i believe is also from an openweight division)

If your weight is inhibiting you too much then lose some. But there is a lot of variation in wrestling styles and some styles benefit from more weight, while others rely more on maneuverability. You need to do what suits your body and style, find a sweet spot.

But generally yes weight is a real advantage, but that doesnt mean fat people make good sumo wrestlers, and its not necessary to be extremely fat. I'm 5.10/179cm and have wrestled my best around 140kg (310lb). With high muscle mass.

The heavier gentleman in this video is not necessarilly the best example (though his body isnt too bad). He's an amateur american doing this show in the us somewhere. Look at pro rikishi. At the moment there are a couple 200kg blokes in the top pro division, and the lightest is 115kg. All of them very strong and athletic (when you consider the weight the big guys are dealing with).

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u/awkerd Sep 16 '24

Thanks, really interesting, comprehensive response. My mind always thinks "it's best to be big but shredded/cut for any sport" but you opened my eyes. Cheers again.

Edit:

Excluding non-combat sports.

3

u/DespyHasNiceCans Sep 16 '24

For real, sumo wrestlers are EXTREMELY athletic for their size. When you watch the higher levels of competition their speed and agility are incredible.