A Sumō Sandstorm Blows In from Egypt

Training at the Ōtake stable starts at 7:30 in the morning.

A scene of "sanbangeiko" (repeated practice bouts).

The strict but warm-hearted stable master, Ōtake, offers some advice.

Former sumō wrestler Yuho is in charge of preparing meals at the Ōtake stable (left). "Chanko" is the general term denoting the food prepared by sumō wrestlers. Ōsunaarahi’s favorite is "chanko-nabe" with chicken.

“Chanko-nabe” is a kind of stew, traditionally the main dish eaten by the wrestlers. At Ōtake stable it is made with stock taken from chicken bones, according to the traditional recipe that Ōtake “oyakata” received from his own stable master, Taihō.

Ōsunaarahi plays around with a young sumō  fan.

The Ōtake stable master, who oversees Ōsunaarashi’s training: “Succeeding in the sumō world takes more than strength. Whether Japanese or foreign, sumō wrestlers are expected to be willing to learn about Japanese culture and to behave with decorum. It is important for the people around Ōsunaarashi to see that he’s giving it his all and that he has a sense of humility. We have an expression, ‘Begin with a bow and end with a bow,’ and I want Ōsunaarashi to learn the spirit behind this saying.”