Weight Loss Directive

[Jeffrey Anderson <jeffand@regent.edu>]

In today's Virginian-Pilot (Norfolk, VA, USA) Sports section, thjere is a
front-page color picture of Konishiki being thron down by another rikishi
whom I don't recognize.  The cutline states, "Japanese officials are fed up
with overweight sumo wrestlers. Page C2."

Inside, there's a black-and-white copy of the color photo from page C1.  The
cutline reads, "Counting calories:  The Japan Sumo Association is fed up
with the current shape of things, especially heavies like Konishiki, right,
who weighs in at 605."

The story reads as follows:

**********************

Headline: Japan's sumo wrestlers, grunt, have, grunt, been branded pound,
grunt, foolish.

If you know anything about sumo wrestling, then you know the competitors are
fat - real fat - and proud of it. Well, holy calories, listen to this:  The
Japan Sumo Association is fed up with the current shape of things.  "Some
young wrestlers are too heavy to keep with the training," Sho Sakaigawa
said.  "They're breathing heavily all the time, some even have trouble
walking. They're too fat."

The average weight of wrestlers in the top divisions of sumo is about 330
pounds - a record.  American-born Konishiki tips the scales at a nice round
605!  Sakaigawa, himself a former sumo big fellow, says that injuries are
rising because wrestlers are too heavy and less athletic.  He said several
wrestlers in the top two divisions had to sit out a recent sumo tournament
because of injuries.  Those who did compete were heavily taped.

*************

I have a question.  Is running used at all in sumo training?  I have only
heard of wrestle, pump weights, eat, rest.  American NFL football now
features over 100 linemen who go 300 pounds or over and they are in some
sort of shape.  Would running do anything to get the rikishi into better
shape and cut down on the injuries?

Best regards,
Jeffrey Anderson
Gaijingai
jeffand@regent.edu

		*Seize the day!  Seize whatever you can,
		*'Cause life slips away like the hourglass sand.
		*Seize the day!  Pray for grace from God's hand,
		*And nothing will stand in your way.
		*Seize the day! - Carolyn Arends, "Seize the Day"