SportsMaze

What changes the result

The rules behind the moments commentators get excited about. They build on the beginner rules.

I · Intermediate · 4 rules · Step 2 of 3

The bout

  1. What happens before a sumo bout?Before a bout the rikishi purify the ring with salt and squat facing each other, fists down, until ready: four minutes at most in the top division, three in the second.
  2. What is not allowed in sumo?Sumo bans closed-fist punches, finger pokes, kicks to the chest or stomach, hair pulling, gripping the throat, bending back fingers, biting and grabbing the front of the mawashi.

Officials and tournaments

  1. Who decides a sumo bout?The gyoji enters with the rikishi, signals the start, watches the bout and points the fan at the winner.
  2. How do sumo tournaments work?Professional sumo has six tournaments a year, each 15 days: three in Tokyo and one each in Osaka, Nagoya and Fukuoka.
A · Advanced · 2 rulesNext: advanced rules