Sumo wrestlers barred from growing beards

"The dohyo ring is sacred. I want (the people) to feel good when they watch the sport," Oguruma told reporters after the meeting.

Some wrestlers in the past have avoided shaving during competitions in the superstitious belief it will bring them good luck.

Not shaving for better luck is superstitious but thinking a mound of sand and rice straw bales is "sacred" is not. The irony is strong with these dinosaurs.

So in their minds, having a beard makes you look shabby? I look a damn sight better with a beard than without.

I think a better excuse, the slaps would have a more equal effect should everyone shave.

No but large waxed mustachios are still OK.

WTF?!?!

So.... the future of sumo is..... regressive thinking?!

Guess the rule of females not being permitted in the dohyo isn't changing anytime soon!!!

Darn oyajis in the Sumo Association are no different from their brothers in the IHA!

Guess I won't be turning pro sumo anytime soon; I look bad enough without at least a goatee, there's no way I'd go baby-faced!

I do not believe in both sides of superstition. I believe that it would make more sense to keep out one's stubble for the reason that it could cause discomfort for his opponent. In 2005, Kokkai Futoshi (Levan Tsaguria), a non-Japanese Sumo wrestler from Georgia, was barred from having stubble, as he used this to gain advantages in clinches.

The dohyo ring is sacred

Yet beards are superstitious?

I'd say maintaining a clean sport, without the presence of corruption, is more important to the sacredness of the dohyo than facial hair.