Can women do sumo?
A · Advanced · Officials and tournaments · 2 of 2Amateur sumo under the International Sumo Federation is open to men and women, who never fight each other, in the same 4.55 m ring. Events are split by weight, with an open-weight class. Women's classes are under 65, 65 to 73, 73 to 80 and 80 kg and over. Teams fight in a set order: senpo, chuken and taisho, with a substitute.
How it works
- Body: IFS.
- Men and women: separate.
- Ring: 4.55 m.
- Weights: classes and open.
- Women: four classes.
- Juniors: 13 to 18.
- Teams: senpo, chuken, taisho.
- Time limit: three minutes.
The glossary has the amateur sumo, the weight classes, the team competition, the shimpan, the torinaoshi and the dohyo.
Tricky cases
Do men and women ever meet?
No.
Is there an open-weight class?
Yes.
Who fights last for a team?
The taisho.
Are the men's classes the same as women's?
No. Check the IFS page for current men's classes.
Why the rule exists
Weight classes open the sport to athletes of all sizes, unlike the professional game.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Women | Four classes | W |
| Teams | Set order | W |
| Limit | Three minutes | I 22 |
From the rule book
International Sumo Federation, Regulations on Refereeing (in force 6 September 2024), Article 22, with IFS Rules Article 3 and the IFS weight-class page. Checked 15 October 2026. Official documents: JSA Sumo booklet and IFS Regulations on Refereeing 2024.