SUMO wrestlers are becoming so heavy that their legs can no longer support
them, say sports physiologists in Japan.
Last year, 29 wrestlers in the top two divisions had to sit out at least one
tournament as a result of injuries鈥攖wice as many as five years ago. So in
a series of tests last month, a panel of physiologists measured the body fat and
leg strength of 50 wrestlers.
The wrestlers鈥� average body fat was 38.4 per cent by weight, but a quarter of
them didn鈥檛 have strong enough leg muscles to support their bulk properly. The
panel recommended that the heaviest wrestlers should weigh no more than 180
kilograms.
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The average weight of top sumo wrestlers has been rising steadily, from 126
kilograms in 1974 to 156 kilograms this year. 鈥淚t鈥檚 partly related to the
increase in the average size of the Japanese in general,鈥� says Doreen Simmonds,
a sumo commentator for the national television network NHK. 鈥淭he same ankles and
knees are carrying a lot more weight.鈥�
The heavier weight does not necessarily add to performance. 鈥淭he ideal sumo
shape is pear-shaped,鈥� says Simmonds. 鈥淟ow hips, massive thighs and oak-like
calves leading into Donald Duck-like feet.鈥�