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Four Women Wrestlers Taking on the World of Sumō

  • Abe celebrating her victory in the Junior High Division Heavyweight Class at the July 16, 2023, All Japan Women’s Sumō Gifu Tournament. She claimed the title using her signature move of driving her opponent out of the ring by force, or oshidashi. (Courtesy Abe Nana)

    Abe celebrating her victory in the Junior High Division Heavyweight Class at the July 16, 2023, All Japan Women’s Sumō Gifu Tournament. She claimed the title using her signature move of driving her opponent out of the ring by force, or oshidashi. (Courtesy Abe Nana)

  • Abe Nana won handily at the All Japan Sumō Individual Weight Class Tournament held May 14, 2023—which is often the first step toward professional sumō. Sakura (left) had tears in her eyes at her sister’s opening to the world championship. (Courtesy Abe Nana)

    Abe Nana won handily at the All Japan Sumō Individual Weight Class Tournament held May 14, 2023—which is often the first step toward professional sumō. Sakura (left) had tears in her eyes at her sister’s opening to the world championship. (Courtesy Abe Nana)

  • “I’m still new to sumō, so there’s still a lot of room to improve my skills. I want to learn by facing experienced wrestlers,” says Hisano, showing off her ambitions. (Courtesy Hisano Airi)

    “I’m still new to sumō, so there’s still a lot of room to improve my skills. I want to learn by facing experienced wrestlers,” says Hisano, showing off her ambitions. (Courtesy Hisano Airi)

  • Hisano facing the Mongolian representative at the World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. Hisano is now working to build muscle mass to better face larger competitors from overseas. (Courtesy Hisano Airi)

    Hisano facing the Mongolian representative at the World Games 2022 in Birmingham, Alabama. Hisano is now working to build muscle mass to better face larger competitors from overseas. (Courtesy Hisano Airi)

  • Hasegawa at the Keiō University Tsunamachi Gym. She practices four days a week with the team where her brother was once captain. Here, she enjoys a chat with the coach and teammates. (© Hanioka Yuri)

    Hasegawa at the Keiō University Tsunamachi Gym. She practices four days a week with the team where her brother was once captain. Here, she enjoys a chat with the coach and teammates. (© Hanioka Yuri)

  • Boys used to tease her when she was small, but now, “Not at all. There are men on the team who say I’m the coolest. That makes me happy. The really strong people don’t worry about gender.” (© Hanioka Yuri)

    Boys used to tease her when she was small, but now, “Not at all. There are men on the team who say I’m the coolest. That makes me happy. The really strong people don’t worry about gender.” (© Hanioka Yuri)

  • Kon (left) took silver at the World Games 2022 in the women’s openweight division. She shared the podium with wrestlers from powerhouse Ukraine, the gold medalist Ivanna Berezovska (center) and bronze medalist Svitlana Iaromka. (Courtesy Kon Hiyori)

    Kon (left) took silver at the World Games 2022 in the women’s openweight division. She shared the podium with wrestlers from powerhouse Ukraine, the gold medalist Ivanna Berezovska (center) and bronze medalist Svitlana Iaromka. (Courtesy Kon Hiyori)

  • At the World Games 2022. Kon says that meeting with overseas wrestlers has been important in her efforts to popularize sumō. (Courtesy Kon Hiyori)

    At the World Games 2022. Kon says that meeting with overseas wrestlers has been important in her efforts to popularize sumō. (Courtesy Kon Hiyori)

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