Sumo stable master Shibatayama, the former yokozuna Onokuni, who is now the Japan Sumo Association director. Because of the dwindling number of wrestlers, the association, which holds physical examinations prior to all six of its regular tournaments, has lowered the basic entry-level standards for new recruits to enter the sport, getting rid of the measurement requirements that keep some from getting a foot in the door.
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In addition to the declining birthrate and a drop in the overall physical strength of children, the competition among sports to attract children is fierce.
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sakurasuki
Another standard being lowered? Japanese self defense force do that too, before recruitment age was 26 year old now 32 year old still can be accepted too.
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2023/01/02/national/japan-sdf-recruitment-problems/
Got tattoo, now is not problem anymore.
https://japantoday.com/category/national/japanese-self-defense-force-mulls-removing-its-ban-on-tattoos
smithinjapan
The foreign wrestlers will continue to save the sport. Don't worry.
Mr Kipling
Smithinjapan....
No they won't. Wrestlers now have to join a Japanese stable before the age of (20) could be 18? This is designed to keep the foreign numbers to a minimum.
Fighto!
The talented young wrestlers from Mongolia will keep coming over on scholarships as teens, as has been happening for a long time.
Yokozuna Terunofuji, Hakuho and Asashoryu - among others - all came to Japan on scholarships as high school kids. The production line, at least from Mongolia, should keep going.
But sadly it is undeniable that Sumo is attracting far less Japanese boys year by year. Not sure if that can be reversed.
Mr Kipling
True, but not that long. Isn't it only one per stable? They managed to get rid of the Hawaiians.
Mr Kipling
If the government subsidies were taken out of the sport it wouldn't last a year.
Fighto!
Apart from Takamiyama and his protege Akebono, I don't know how many wrestlers have come from Hawaii. Is there even a strong Sumo culture there now?