Not only is female sumo wrestling a really real sport, according to Tiffany Tran, three-time middle-weight female 2 day diet strong sumo wrestling champion and vice president of the us Sumo Federation, that isn't the only real amazing fact that'll knock your mawashi -- that well-known sumo uniform -- off. Check it out:
1. Sumo wrestling is not only for the dangerously obese.
"When I made a decision to start sumo wrestling, my parents were concerned I'd gain 300 pounds," Tran says. In reality, though, she had to lose weight to compete inside a lower weight bracket. There are three: Lightweight (up to 143 pounds), middle weight (143 to 176 pounds), and heavy weight (over 176 pounds). Tran competes in the centre category. For that record, male sumo wrestlers have various weight categories too. While the pros might appear obese (they eat infrequent, large meals that distend their bellies) they do not have rolls of fat and therefore are actually incredibly muscular.
That said, hitting the scales toward top of the limit of your weight division can provide you with an advantage. But gaining weight isn't all cupcakes and candy. Most sumo warriors decide to pack on pounds by building muscle, which weighs greater than fat. In addition: Muscle heft can improve your sumo strength, while flab just slows you down. It's why sumo wrestlers tend to eat pretty healthfully.
2. In case your hair touches the floor inside the ring, you lose.
There are two methods to win a match. You are able to push your opponent outside the ring or encourage them to touch any body part towards the floor. Hair counts, and that's why most sumo wrestlers wear their head of hair in a bun.
3. Sumo squats are a good workout for anyone's inner thighs.
When you do regular squats, you start with toes facing forward and feet shoulder-width apart, then bend your knees and push the sofa back like you're relaxing in a chair. Sumo squats are a quite different: Starting with the feet slightly wider than shoulders, and angle your feet outward about 45 degrees before you decide to bend your knees to a 90-degree angle. It makes sense some serious thigh burn.
4. Most matches last about 30 seconds.
"There is really much intensity in every match. They don't last for very long, however the intensity and speed take everything you have," Tran says.
5. It's really difficult to pee in a mawashi.
The traditional mawashi belt is a super-long piece of thick, canvas-like material that you cover your waist about three times and knot in the back. Kinda just like a romper, you need to go ahead and take whole damn thing off any time you have to tinkle. To complicate the problem, most people need help getting it back on.
6. Male sumo wrestlers free-ball it, however the ladies don't.
Women usually wear exercise clothes (underwear, sports bra, bike shorts, the whole shebang) or perhaps a gymnastics or wrestling unitard underneath their mawashis.
7. Breasts don't really get in the way.
"I have really large breasts," Tran says. "You're not hitting in the boobs, you're hitting [your opponent] within the space in between your breasts and your neck, your forehead to their chest. So boobs don't really affect anything."
8. Nip slips are pretty uncommon.
"I saw one girl's leopard ripped -- her opponent tore a huge hole above her breast," says Tran. But that was one-time thing.
9. It's actually from the rules to provide your attacker a wedgie.
No crotch-grabbing or choking, either.
10. Like Olympians, sumo wrestlers party pretty hard after matches.
At international competitions, sumo wrestlers are no not the same as other athletes. After they compete, they often go to giant sumo parties. "It's not sanctioned, but we obtain together and also have a great time," Tran says.
11. There are some super-sexy sumo singles!
Trans says that single sumos can be quite flirtatious. "There are some really good looking sumo wrestlers -- Ukrainian and Russian sumo wrestlers are pure muscle, incredibly fit. They appear like models," Tran says. Take a look at these studs:
12. Sumo wrestlers possess some serious sass.
Before a match starts, sumo wrestlers bow to each other externally the ring. Then the formalities venture out your window -- it is common for competitors to antagonize each other with dirty looks, winks, and air kisses. The match can't official begin until both wrestlers lida old squat down and put a fist on the ground. Some people throw utterly away, while others dillydally and watch for their opponent to fist first to allow them to control once the match begins. "It's exciting to look at," Tran says.
Grains, I learn, are the main no-no for Paleo people. Why?