Sumo wrestlers have dedicated their lives to rigorous and intense training. During their first years of training, they are required to live in a stable, which is managed by a skilled stable master. Most stable masters are retired wrestlers who are equipped with the all the knowledge needed in order to shape phenomenal wrestlers for future generations.

In Japanese stables, referees, hairdressers and ushers also live in the stable. The stable master is usually referred to as oyokata, or boss, while his wife is referred to as okamisan.

Wrestlers who live in stables are usually divided into different divisions. The top divisions are the makuuchi and the juryo, while the divisions below them include the makushita sandanme, the jonidan and the jonkuchi. Sumo wrestlers only begin to receive salaries once they have reached the juryo rank or higher. This is also the time when they get to wear a keshomawashi, an embroidered apron-like cloth, and a topknot hair in the sophisticated shape of a Japanese gingko tree.

Wrestlers of higher ranks get the privilege to wear different colours of keshomawashi cloths made from luxurious silk. Meanwhile, those who belong to lower ranks can only wear black keshomawashi clothes made from cotton.

If you are planning to wear sumo wrestler costumes for Halloween, you should know more about how wrestlers from different ranks dress up and behave. You could easily look like a true sumo wrestler once you have learned more about how sumo wrestlers spend their days.

Training and exercise

Wrestlers are required to undergo strenuous exercises as a part of their training. They start their mornings by performing a ritual stamping called shiko, which improves their lower body’s strength. In this exercise, wrestlers are required to stand with their legs apart and to place their hands on their knees or thighs, with one foot raised high in the air and one foot planted firmly to the ground. They strongly push their raised feet down to the ring, producing a loud thumping noise all throughout the stable.

After the ritual stamping, wrestlers are required to perform another exercise called the teppo. This particular exercise teaches sumo wrestlers the important basics of manipulating their feet and hands while they are tackling an opponent. They do this exercise by pushing their hands forward while keeping their hips and legs at their sides.

Sumo matches for practice

Wrestlers are also required to engage in a mini-tournament called the moshiai. This activity requires winners to fight with new challengers until they have finally lost a match and get replaced by the new winner. They also practice by performing butsukari-geiko, wherein they get the chance to throw their heavy bodies into each other.

These are only some of the most important things you should know about professional sumo wrestlers. Now that you know some authentic moves of sumo wrestlers, you could already act like a real sumo wrestler while wearing cool sumo wrestler costumes.