EPISODE · Oct 30, 2025 · 8 MIN
This is what it takes to be a sumo wrestler
from What in the World · host BBC World Service
Sumo is Japan’s national sport. Its origins go back more than 1,500 years, and it rarely leaves Japan. But some competitions are starting to tour - including The Grand Sumo Tournament, which recently happened in London. Wrestlers often start training from a very young age, and training is intense. It involves building strength and fitness - and eating. A lot. They consume around 10,000 calories a day. The BBC’s Mariko Oi is from Japan. She talks us through all we need to know about the sport. We also hear from 21-year-old Aonishiki Arata. He’s one of Ukraine’s top wrestlers and now lives and trains in Japan. And two fans share why they love the sport. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Natalia Makohon Editor: Verity Wilde
What this episode covers
Sumo is Japan’s national sport. Its origins go back more than 1,500 years, and it rarely leaves Japan. But some competitions are starting to tour - including The Grand Sumo Tournament, which recently happened in London. Wrestlers often start training from a very young age, and training is intense. It involves building strength and fitness - and eating. A lot. They consume around 10,000 calories a day. The BBC’s Mariko Oi is from Japan. She talks us through all we need to know about the sport. We also hear from 21-year-old Aonishiki Arata. He’s one of Ukraine’s top wrestlers and now lives and trains in Japan. And two fans share why they love the sport. Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld Email: [email protected] WhatsApp: +44 330 12 33 22 6 Presenter: Hannah Gelbart Producers: Mora Morrison and Natalia Makohon Editor: Verity Wilde
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This is what it takes to be a sumo wrestler
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