Swami
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Sumo meet to be held as part of 2020 Games cultural program
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Written by Kyodo
Published: 04 February 2020
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The Japan Sumo Association announced Tuesday it will stage a two-day tournament as part of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic cultural program.
Aimed at introducing the traditional sport to overseas visitors and people with disabilities, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Grand Sumo Tournament will take place at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Aug. 12 to 13.
Public broadcasts at the arena will be made in Japanese and English during the competition, to be contested by wrestlers in sumo's elite makuuchi division.
The association, which expects around 7,000 spectators each day, said the viewing area will be accessible for wheelchair users.
Sumo grand champion Hakuho said this year's Olympics held special significance, as his father Jigjidiin Monkhbat wrestled for Mongolia at the 1964 Tokyo Games.
"I want to watch great feats (at the Olympics) in Tokyo," said Hakuho, who holds the all-time record of 43 top-level sumo championships.
The 34-year-old yokozuna is also set to run in the Olympic torch relay after being nominated by officials in Sumida Ward, the Tokyo municipality surrounding Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Swami
Details
Written by Kyodo
Published: 04 February 2020
Hits: 21
The Japan Sumo Association announced Tuesday it will stage a two-day tournament as part of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic cultural program.
Aimed at introducing the traditional sport to overseas visitors and people with disabilities, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Grand Sumo Tournament will take place at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Aug. 12 to 13.
Public broadcasts at the arena will be made in Japanese and English during the competition, to be contested by wrestlers in sumo's elite makuuchi division.
The association, which expects around 7,000 spectators each day, said the viewing area will be accessible for wheelchair users.
Sumo grand champion Hakuho said this year's Olympics held special significance, as his father Jigjidiin Monkhbat wrestled for Mongolia at the 1964 Tokyo Games.
"I want to watch great feats (at the Olympics) in Tokyo," said Hakuho, who holds the all-time record of 43 top-level sumo championships.
The 34-year-old yokozuna is also set to run in the Olympic torch relay after being nominated by officials in Sumida Ward, the Tokyo municipality surrounding Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Swami
Seriously though, it's good to promote sumo while Japan is hosting the Summer Olympics. It seems to be a misunderstood sport in the western world. I just hope Hakuho and Kakuryu are still active at this event.