Without its traditions, sumo would simply not be sumo, but at the same time the sport’s archaic rules and ridiculous rituals of retribution are undoubtedly a big factor in the huge difficulties it’s facing recruiting fresh rikishi. A sorry state of affairs that, along with an ongoing match rigging scandal, has left sumo with dwindling support and a decidedly slim chance of coming up with a Japanese grand champion any time soon.
Other forms of combat, however, are comparatively healthy, with K-1 in particular pulling in the punters and participants. And even regular wrestling is well respected, with wrestlers eager to pull their fingers out, enter the ring and rough it out with their rivals.
Or even — although thankfully it wouldn’t be welcome in sumo — enter their rival’s ring.
(image via the FG Forums)
Neil Duckett says
It appears to be a double finger entry too, a specialty in my repertoire too.
an englishman in osaka says
Looks like the one in red is experiencing a hole lot of trouble there.
uktokyoite says
Now that’s a classic photo! Thanks for making me smile!
Angel H. says
I don’t know much about wrestling but…isn’t that illegal?
Andre says
LOL it’s not actually. Reason why they do that is to get them flat on the mat.
Bunny says
Scratch and sniff.
billywest says
I always wondered about some of the guys on my high school’s varsity wrestling team.
Hades says
I was lauging till I read the puns.
😛
phossil says
Ok, no cheating!!!