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As Sumo Wrestling Grows in the U.S., It’s Mostly Men on the Mats As Sumo Wrestling Grows in the U.S., It’s Mostly Men on the Mats
(2 months later)
JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Tiffany Tran stands 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 166 pounds. She is a vegetarian studying for a master’s in biology. She is also a sumo wrestler. JACKSON HOLE, Wyo. — Tiffany Tran stands 5 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 166 pounds. She is a vegetarian studying for a master’s in biology. She is also a sumo wrestler.
She had previously claimed the title as the top female middleweight in American sumo wrestling, but she traveled here on a recent weekend with a singular goal: to defend her perch.She had previously claimed the title as the top female middleweight in American sumo wrestling, but she traveled here on a recent weekend with a singular goal: to defend her perch.
“People think sumo is just fat guys belly-bumping in diapers,” said Tran, who has been competing for four years. “It’s not that at all.”“People think sumo is just fat guys belly-bumping in diapers,” said Tran, who has been competing for four years. “It’s not that at all.”
The recent national sumo tournament, held one day in a conference room at the Snow King Hotel here, saw a parade of competitors of all shapes and backgrounds. There were sweat, slamming, slapping, stretch marks, cellulite and a rainbow of tattoos. There were a schoolteacher from Hawaii, a pet adoption counselor from California, a strongman from Tennessee, a student from Texas and a plus-size fetish model from Idaho.The recent national sumo tournament, held one day in a conference room at the Snow King Hotel here, saw a parade of competitors of all shapes and backgrounds. There were sweat, slamming, slapping, stretch marks, cellulite and a rainbow of tattoos. There were a schoolteacher from Hawaii, a pet adoption counselor from California, a strongman from Tennessee, a student from Texas and a plus-size fetish model from Idaho.
One thing the tournament did not have: many women.One thing the tournament did not have: many women.
Sumo wrestling, the ancient full-contact sport of Japan, has been a tough sell to American women. In this country of almost 315 million people, where body-image anxiety could be included as a national sport, there are fewer than a dozen serious female sumo wrestlers.Sumo wrestling, the ancient full-contact sport of Japan, has been a tough sell to American women. In this country of almost 315 million people, where body-image anxiety could be included as a national sport, there are fewer than a dozen serious female sumo wrestlers.
Tran is among the six women from the United States who qualified at Jackson Hole to wrestle internationally out of 10 who competed. “Being a woman sumo wrestler can get a bit lonely,” Tran said.Tran is among the six women from the United States who qualified at Jackson Hole to wrestle internationally out of 10 who competed. “Being a woman sumo wrestler can get a bit lonely,” Tran said.
Traditional sumo practices have forbidden women to compete, and Japan still does not have female sumo wrestlers in its professional ranks.Traditional sumo practices have forbidden women to compete, and Japan still does not have female sumo wrestlers in its professional ranks.
But sumo wrestling has grown well beyond Japan in recent years, most notably in Asia and Eastern Europe. The International Sumo Federation has about 80 member nations, according to its website, including Botswana, Uzbekistan, Peru and New Zealand. Women from Russia, Japan, the Netherlands and Mongolia have recently won world amateur titles. But women are hardly represented in the United States.But sumo wrestling has grown well beyond Japan in recent years, most notably in Asia and Eastern Europe. The International Sumo Federation has about 80 member nations, according to its website, including Botswana, Uzbekistan, Peru and New Zealand. Women from Russia, Japan, the Netherlands and Mongolia have recently won world amateur titles. But women are hardly represented in the United States.
Nevertheless, aficionados have also been advocating a (highly unlikely) bid for sumo to become recognized as an Olympic sport, hoping that the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo could provide a showcase for it in the country where it traces its roots.Nevertheless, aficionados have also been advocating a (highly unlikely) bid for sumo to become recognized as an Olympic sport, hoping that the 2020 Summer Games in Tokyo could provide a showcase for it in the country where it traces its roots.
Women’s combat sports have been on a good run in the United States. Claressa Shields won a gold medal in women’s boxing at the London Olympics in 2012, when it became a medal sport. American women won medals in taekwondo and judo, as well.Women’s combat sports have been on a good run in the United States. Claressa Shields won a gold medal in women’s boxing at the London Olympics in 2012, when it became a medal sport. American women won medals in taekwondo and judo, as well.
In recent years, non-Olympic combat sports like mixed martial arts have flourished, too, in televised extravaganzas and local bouts.In recent years, non-Olympic combat sports like mixed martial arts have flourished, too, in televised extravaganzas and local bouts.
American sumo, though, is still waiting to take off, said Andrew Freund, the president of U.S.A. Sumo.American sumo, though, is still waiting to take off, said Andrew Freund, the president of U.S.A. Sumo.
“What’s going on now is a pioneering effort,” he said. “We’re starting from ground zero. It’s a challenge to get proper coaching, to get the word out, to get people familiar with the fundamentals.”“What’s going on now is a pioneering effort,” he said. “We’re starting from ground zero. It’s a challenge to get proper coaching, to get the word out, to get people familiar with the fundamentals.”
The recent Jackson Hole tournament featured 36 fighters from 13 to 61 years old. All fought for free and paid their way. Some, like 118-pound Brittany Moreau, were thin. Others, like Jay Holder, weighed more than 400 pounds.The recent Jackson Hole tournament featured 36 fighters from 13 to 61 years old. All fought for free and paid their way. Some, like 118-pound Brittany Moreau, were thin. Others, like Jay Holder, weighed more than 400 pounds.
Most wore the traditional mawashi — which might look like a diaper to the untrained eye — over wrestling singlets or shorts and a T-shirt. They competed on recycled high school gym wrestling mats joined with red duct tape.Most wore the traditional mawashi — which might look like a diaper to the untrained eye — over wrestling singlets or shorts and a T-shirt. They competed on recycled high school gym wrestling mats joined with red duct tape.
The smell of potato chips and sweat hung in the air. In an incongruous touch that was more Las Vegas than traditional dohyo, the referees wore white suits, gloves and black bow ties.The smell of potato chips and sweat hung in the air. In an incongruous touch that was more Las Vegas than traditional dohyo, the referees wore white suits, gloves and black bow ties.
Jenelle Hamilton, a tactical 131-pound lightweight from Palmdale, Calif., said recruiting female friends had proved challenging. “Everyone wants to see it, but no one wants to do it,” she said.Jenelle Hamilton, a tactical 131-pound lightweight from Palmdale, Calif., said recruiting female friends had proved challenging. “Everyone wants to see it, but no one wants to do it,” she said.
Trent Sabo, a truck driver from Idaho and middleweight competitor, said sumo wrestling still carried a certain stigma.Trent Sabo, a truck driver from Idaho and middleweight competitor, said sumo wrestling still carried a certain stigma.
“What American woman wants to be known as a sumo wrestler?” Sabo said. He coached several women at the competition but said the sport still had a long way to go.“What American woman wants to be known as a sumo wrestler?” Sabo said. He coached several women at the competition but said the sport still had a long way to go.
Even finding American male competitors can be difficult, Sabo said. And don’t get him started about the mawashis.Even finding American male competitors can be difficult, Sabo said. And don’t get him started about the mawashis.
“There’s been a lot of trial and error,” he said.“There’s been a lot of trial and error,” he said.
Still, he likes the sport because it affords him the opportunity to travel and meet people. And he likes going against the grain.Still, he likes the sport because it affords him the opportunity to travel and meet people. And he likes going against the grain.
“It’s not a mainstream sport,” Sabo said.“It’s not a mainstream sport,” Sabo said.
Indeed, only a few dozen showed up to watch the tournament, and they were mostly friends and family. The occasional befuddled tourist wandered by, but few stayed.Indeed, only a few dozen showed up to watch the tournament, and they were mostly friends and family. The occasional befuddled tourist wandered by, but few stayed.
“That’s a major wedgie,” one young boy walking past said.“That’s a major wedgie,” one young boy walking past said.
Sumo sponsors were scant.Sumo sponsors were scant.
“There are no Nike shoes in sumo,” said Kelly Gneiting, a retired 425-pound sumo wrestler who organized the Jackson Hole event. His 16-year-old daughter, Sarena, competed this year for the first time, winning the junior heavyweight title.“There are no Nike shoes in sumo,” said Kelly Gneiting, a retired 425-pound sumo wrestler who organized the Jackson Hole event. His 16-year-old daughter, Sarena, competed this year for the first time, winning the junior heavyweight title.
Sumo’s rules are simple: Knock your opponent down or out of the ring using a variety of techniques, including seizing the mawashi. Fighters begin with a single clap to awaken the gods, then raise their arms to show that they are unarmed.Sumo’s rules are simple: Knock your opponent down or out of the ring using a variety of techniques, including seizing the mawashi. Fighters begin with a single clap to awaken the gods, then raise their arms to show that they are unarmed.
“It’s about being bare,” Gneiting said.“It’s about being bare,” Gneiting said.
Matches typically last only a few seconds, which can make for unsatisfying viewing. Bouts are more like a linebacker’s charge than the multiround narrative of a boxing match.Matches typically last only a few seconds, which can make for unsatisfying viewing. Bouts are more like a linebacker’s charge than the multiround narrative of a boxing match.
One by one, the competitors weighed in on a bathroom scale, a practice that has been a barrier to having women join, said Amanda Soule, an American heavyweight from Boise, Idaho.One by one, the competitors weighed in on a bathroom scale, a practice that has been a barrier to having women join, said Amanda Soule, an American heavyweight from Boise, Idaho.
“People say, ‘I can’t put my driver’s license weight?’ ” said Soule, who weighed in at 370 pounds. “So I think that’s a big issue right off the top.”“People say, ‘I can’t put my driver’s license weight?’ ” said Soule, who weighed in at 370 pounds. “So I think that’s a big issue right off the top.”
Soule, a plus-size model, said she found sumo wrestling 10 years ago at a match she attended after shooting a fetish video in Tokyo.Soule, a plus-size model, said she found sumo wrestling 10 years ago at a match she attended after shooting a fetish video in Tokyo.
“It’s one of the places where a big girl can compete,” she said.“It’s one of the places where a big girl can compete,” she said.
Soule said she “gets more of a double take” when she tells people that she’s a sumo wrestler than when she talks about her sexually charged modeling exploits.Soule said she “gets more of a double take” when she tells people that she’s a sumo wrestler than when she talks about her sexually charged modeling exploits.
As the bouts began, the women tried to find a room to change. They were unsuccessful. Instead, three women wrapped their mawashis around themselves while they crouched behind the near-empty bleachers.As the bouts began, the women tried to find a room to change. They were unsuccessful. Instead, three women wrapped their mawashis around themselves while they crouched behind the near-empty bleachers.
“I want it corset-tight,” Soule said.“I want it corset-tight,” Soule said.
Tran wanted to compete in the middleweight division, but there was no one to fight. So she entered the open division, where she finished third.Tran wanted to compete in the middleweight division, but there was no one to fight. So she entered the open division, where she finished third.
“You have to trust your body,” said Kendra Brinker, a massage therapist from Idaho Falls who will compete internationally for the United States. She fought in electric blue eye shadow and pinned her hair in a regal Mohawk.“You have to trust your body,” said Kendra Brinker, a massage therapist from Idaho Falls who will compete internationally for the United States. She fought in electric blue eye shadow and pinned her hair in a regal Mohawk.
Hamilton, one of the smallest wrestlers who qualified to compete at the world championships in August in Taipei, won her weight division, as did Soule and Tran. None were sure whether they could afford the trip.Hamilton, one of the smallest wrestlers who qualified to compete at the world championships in August in Taipei, won her weight division, as did Soule and Tran. None were sure whether they could afford the trip.
“If you spend your money doing sumo, you don’t have money to do other things,” Hamilton said. “It demands a lot. And you have to make choices.”“If you spend your money doing sumo, you don’t have money to do other things,” Hamilton said. “It demands a lot. And you have to make choices.”
As the day wound down, Celine VanHoye, a 125-pounder from Highland Village, Tex., watched a 400-pound man make a rhino-like charge on an opponent. VanHoye, 18, won a junior open title that morning and a silver medal in the women’s lightweight competition in the afternoon.As the day wound down, Celine VanHoye, a 125-pounder from Highland Village, Tex., watched a 400-pound man make a rhino-like charge on an opponent. VanHoye, 18, won a junior open title that morning and a silver medal in the women’s lightweight competition in the afternoon.
She stood with her arms clasped, quietly studying the enormous man’s moves. Her mawashi was still wrapped around her waist.She stood with her arms clasped, quietly studying the enormous man’s moves. Her mawashi was still wrapped around her waist.
Could she take him on? She wrinkled her brow.Could she take him on? She wrinkled her brow.
“I could try,” she said.“I could try,” she said.