Women's sumo wrestles prejudices - 28th April 2023

Although the phrase 'sumo wrestler' typically conjures up an image of a chunky Asian man with a loincloth and a top-knot, it's fast becoming a sport for women such as Luciana Watanabe, the face of sumo in Brazil.

Luciana Watanabe: "In the whole world, there are many women practising sumo in more than 80 countries. There are already four weight categories. I think we are expanding this. My idea is to break prejudices."

In the mother country – Japan – women are to this day barred from practising sumo professionally. The martial art was deeply intertwined with the Shinto religion for over 1500 years and women were viewed by believers as unwholesome or as harbingers of bad luck. Previously, attendance at the ritualised sumo performances was strictly prohibited for women, as was physically touching the gigantic wrestlers.

Despite this, 2001 welcomed the establishment of an international women's sumo championship, and it's hoped that designation as an Olympic sport may be on the cards.

Sumo amateur Diana Dall'Olio became hooked after first dabbling in alternative varieties of wrestling.

Diana Dall'Olio: "It is tiring, but the wrestling is quick. I've done judo and jiu-jitsu, but they are slow. Sumo is very fast, like 10 seconds. That's very good."

A treasured part of Japanese culture, sumo was brought to Brazil's shores in the early 20th century by Japanese settlers. Currently, women account for over half of the country's 600 sumo fighters and Valeria Dall'Olio, mother of Diana, relishes shaking up stereotypes.

Valeria Dall'Olio: "There are preconceived ideas. Sometimes when I say I practise sumo, everyone looks at me thinking I should be fat, but amateur also has categories, and I fight in the medium category."

Perhaps the time is ripe to recognise that the revered sumo ring is no longer the sole domain of massive male titans.