Sumo
Sumo is Japanese wrestling in a raised clay ring. Two rikishi charge: the first forced out of the circle or touching the ground with anything but the soles of the feet loses; a bout often lasts seconds. Rikishi wear only the mawashi, a long silk belt.
New to sumo? Start here
How long
Bouts that often last seconds; out of the ring or touching the ground loses
Lengths are from the rule book.
The big events, and why they matter
- 1Grand sumo tournaments (honbasho)The professional top division; a tournament win is the top prize.Six a year in Japan · Holder: September 2026, Tokyo: Ōnosato, 12–3, count 6
- 2World Sumo ChampionshipsThe amateur world title.Yearly (to check) · Holder: men's team Japan
India
India has no title or team medal in the World Championships rows; the professional champions' list gives no nations [the two pages].
- Grand sumo tournaments (honbasho): top-division champions: Not known from the list, which gives no nations
- Sumo World Championships: No title or team medal in the rows
Countries to know
India and the nations that have done best, biggest titles first.
- JapanSumo World Championships: 72 golds, 9 silvers, 10 bronzes (latest 2025)
- RussiaSumo World Championships: 50 golds, 5 silvers, 5 bronzes (latest 2019)
- MongoliaSumo World Championships: 36 golds, 12 silvers, 23 bronzes (latest 2025)
- UkraineSumo World Championships: 37 golds, 7 silvers, 13 bronzes (latest 2025)
Who runs it
| Rules made by | Japan Sumo Association (JSA), the Sumo introduction booklet, for professional sumo; International Sumo Federation (IFS), Regulations on Refereeing (in force 6 September 2024), for amateur sumo |
| International federation | International Sumo Federation (IFS) for amateur sumo; the Japan Sumo Association runs professional sumo |
| In India | A sumo federation in India routes entries to international events, unnamed in the one source found; not on the MYAS list for 2026 |
The body's name and its IFS membership are still to find.
Where and when it is played
On the dohyo, a clay platform about 6.7 metres square and 60 cm high, with straw bales marking a circle a little over 4.55 metres across. The big events: the six grand sumo tournaments a year in Japan and the World Sumo Championships.