Sumo Wrestlers (beyond sports)

Sumo wrestlers, known as rikishi, are highly disciplined athletes who specialize in Japan’s traditional sport of sumo wrestling. Beyond competition, they embody cultural traditions, rituals, and a hierarchical lifestyle within sumo stables, emphasizing respect, hierarchy, and spiritual practices. Their training involves rigorous physical routines, ceremonial rites, and a communal living environment. Sumo wrestlers often serve as cultural ambassadors, preserving and promoting Japanese heritage through their attire, rituals, and public appearances. Their roles extend beyond the ring, symbolizing strength, discipline, and cultural continuity, making them significant figures in Japan’s social and cultural landscape.