Joshi Sumo
Sumo, a sport steeped in tradition and spiritual significance, has long excluded women from professional competition. Despite this, women across Japan are dedicating themselves to joshi sumo, the amateur division, with remarkable discipline and passion. At Nihon University in Tokyo, female wrestlers engage in rigorous daily training—practicing techniques, stretching, and preparing for competitions. Their dedication reflects a deep respect for the sport, transcending its amateur status. Through their efforts, these women challenge the boundaries of tradition, showcasing not just their physical strength but also their resilience in pursuing a sport that denies them professional opportunities.
Shiori practices with a sumo male during a night training at the university stable.
Sena practices her push with a sumo male of the same club during a night training at the university stable.
Yuka practices her push with rugby tackle bag inside the stable.
Sena practices her push with a sumo male of the same club during a night training at the university stable.
Yuka the youngest girl from the women sumo's club serves food for older girls after a training.
After training girls always eat foods at Nihon University sumo stable.
Sayaka (L) (22 years old) and Sena (R) (21 years old) play with smartphone after a night training at the stable.
Shiori warms up with a sumo male from the same club at Nihon University before the beginning of the 5th National Japan student women sumo tournament at Nihon University.
Sumo girls from Nihon University cheers up together before the beginning of the 5th National Japan student women sumo tournament at Nihon University.
Yuka from Nihon University does a wining movement during the 5th National Japan student women sumo tournament at Nihon University.
Yuka does a wining movement during a fight at the 5th National Japan student women sumo tournament at Nihon University.
Sayaka rise up her arms for the traditional salute before a fight in sumo sport.
Sayaka (R) helps Shiori (L) with her mawashi (traditional sumo's belt) before a fight during the 5th National Japan student women sumo tournament at Nihon University.
Yuka prepares to do "tachi-ai" (movement before to start a fight) during 5th National Japan student women sumo tournament at Nihon University.
Shiori cries after her defeat in final at the 5th National Japan student women sumo tournament at Nihon University.
Seina (21 years old) practices her "taichi-ai" during an early morning training at the university stable.
Seina (21 years old) practices her "taichi-ai" during an early morning training at the university stable.
Yuka practices with a sumo male at the university stable at night.
Yuka (L), Shiori (C) and Keiko (R) rest during an early morning training at the university stable.
Yuka practices with sumo male from during a morning training at the university stable.
A coach from university sumo club talks to the girls after a morning training at the University stable.
Shiori does "Taichi-ai" during a fight at 8th National Japan Women sumo tournament in Gifu prefecture (central japan).
Keiko (L) Shiori (C) and Sena (R) travel inside a shinkansen (japanese bullet train) for Nagoya a day before a national tournament in Gifu prefecture.
Sena (R) takes position before a fight during the 8th National Japan Women sumo tournament in Gifu prefecture (central japan).
Sayaka does "tachi-ai (fist movement just before to start a fight) during the 8th National Japan Women sumo tournament in Gifu prefecture (central japan).
Sayaka does a wining movement during a fight at the 8th National Woman Sumo Tournament in Gifu (central Japan).
Girls from Nihon University sumo club congrat Shiori after her victory during the 8th National Japan Women sumo tournament in Gifu prefecture (central japan).
Sayaka (L) and Shiori (R) do shopping in downtown Tokyo before to go to the stable for night training.