Sumo wrestles with existential woes

The Japanese ancient sport is described as being in a crisis as it faces high attrition rates and scandals that have cropped up time and again. Reforms may be needed to bring it in line with the modern era.

- Walter Sim

TOKYO - Think of a sumo wrestler, and one would imagine a hulking giant clad in a loincloth.

Kenshin Nakamura, however, defies this stereotype at 163.5cm and 82.9kg.

But the 17-year-old rookie, who made his tournament debut in May 2023, is undeterred by his slight stature even as he aims to beef up to 100kg.

"I found it inspiring watching the small-sized Enho overcome far larger opponents," he told The Straits Times, when asked how he got into the martial art.

Professional sumo wrestler Enho, 30, who made his debut in May 2017, is just 167cm tall and weighs 101.4kg.

Nakamura was so inspired by him that he joined professional sumo after completing his junior high studies in 2022.

He took the ring name Katsunishiki, which sounds like "victory" and "recognition", and also pays tribute to his home town in Kakegawa, Shizuoka prefecture.

"It is not wishy-washy, it is either win or lose and there are no draws," Katsunishiki said, agreeing with a stablemate who said this made sumo unique compared with other sports.

Height and weight obviously matter in a combat sport where rikishi (sumo wrestlers) win by either pushing their opponents out of the dohyo (ring), or have them touch the ground with any part of their body besides the feet.

But in David and Goliath matchups, it is possible for smaller wrestlers to outsmart and outmanoeuvre their bigger rivals with sheer technique, using their lower centre of gravity and better agility to their advantage.

Enho is a prime example, chalking up such a strong win record over 12 tournaments that he soared up the banzuke (rankings) to reach the top makuuchi division by May 2019.

In contrast, the heaviest rikishi on record - the 190cm-tall Orora, who tipped the scales at 292.6kg peaked at the third-highest makushita division. He retired in September 2018.