Sumo in colossal crisis after wave of titanic fighters pull out due to weight related health issues

Sumo, Japan’s ancient sport wrestling where huge athletes weighing over 40st (265kg) clash in the ring, is facing a health crisis.

Wrestlers pulling out from autumn events has reached double digits with top fighters succumbing to injuries and health issues.

Dozens of fighters have pulled out of this season’s events for a host of conditions ranging excessive sweating, breathing issues, joint diseases, diabetes complications and more.

Titans of the sport, like Takakeisho, 28, former holder of the sumo’ second highest rank, have been forced to retire, after injuries to his feet, knees and neck.

The crisis has prompted calls in some corners for the sport to rapidly modernise and take steps like imposing weight-limits and increased medical input in training.

Unlike boxing sumo doesn’t have weight divisions meaning that, providing a wrestler can still compete, they’re incentivised to pile on the pounds to better dominate the opposition. 

But this can come at the cost to their health.

Sumo’s grand champion Terunofuji is also out of commission with diabetes hindering recovery to injuries he previously suffered in the ring.

The Times reported his stable master, Isegahama, said: ‘He hasn’t been able to exercise because of his bad knees. If he can work up a sweat, his blood sugar will go back down.’ 

Japanese media have also listed a raft of other sumo wrestlers, technically called rikishi, having to pull out due to a host of health issues. 

Commentators for years have warned that sumo is facing a growing health crisis with athletes competing for longer and becoming heavier over time.

In the 50s the average rikishi was a comparatively trim 17st (110kg) but this has since expanded to 25st (160kg).

But this is an average, some wrestlers have weighed in at a colossal 42st (265kg) with some fighters consuming 10,000 calories per day, five times the amount recommended for the average man. 

This has prompted calls for reform. One of these is sumo coach Takehiko Daiguji who said: ‘I think a sumo wrestler’s BMI should be between 40 and 43, so it’s a good idea to have a rule that says it can’t exceed 45.’

‘Anything more than that puts them at a higher risk of injury.’ 

BMI, or body mass index, is a calculation using weight, height and some basic demographic information like sex and ethnicity to determine if a person is a healthy weight.

While some medics have said the system is flawed, its generally seen as good general indicator of obesity in public health. 

A BMI score of 18.5 to 25 is healthy. A score of 25 to 29 counts as overweight, and 30-plus means a person is obese, the stage at which chances of illness rockets. 

So even limiting rikishi to a BMI of 45 would still be far above what is generally recommended for good health, though wrestlers typically carry more muscle than a non-athlete of the same BMI. 

It would disqualify a host of current athletes. For example, the recently retired Takakeisho measured in 5ft 8in (175cm) and 26st (165kg) a BMI just shy of 54.  

Others have said suggested sumo needs to step away from some of its traditional elements and engage with modern sports medicine and nutritional experts.

John Gunning, the sumo correspondent of The Japan Times recently wrote: ‘In 2024, it’s incongruous to see professional sumo wrestlers still wolfing down large meals that are high in sodium and processed sugar at all hours of the day and night.

He added: ‘While the use of gyms and weight training has increased, often it’s ad hoc with no scientific basis for what exercises are done.’

Obesity has been well established as increasing the risk of multiple serious health conditions that can damage the heart, such as high blood pressure, as well as cancers.

Being too fat has been estimated to cause as many as one in 20 cancer cases in Britain, according to the Cancer Research UK.