Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers line up during the closing ceremony of a two-day exhibition sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 14, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers line up during the closing ceremony of a two-day exhibition sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 14, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers line up during the closing ceremony of a two-day exhibition sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 14, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers line up during the closing ceremony of a two-day exhibition sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 14, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers line up during the closing ceremony of a two-day exhibition sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 14, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers perform a ring-entering ceremony on the second day of a two-day exhibition sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 14, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers perform a ring-entering ceremony on the second day of a two-day exhibition sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 14, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers perform a ring-entering ceremony on the second day of a two-day exhibition sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 14, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers Shodai (R) and Atamifuji pose at an Tudor wristwatch brand outlet in Paris on June 12, 2026, ahead of a two-day sumo tournament in the French capital from June 13.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers Shodai (L) and Atamifuji pose at a Tudor wristwatch brand outlet in Paris on June 12, 2026, ahead of a two-day sumo tournament in the French capital from June 13.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers Shodai (L) and Atamifuji visit a Tudor wristwatch brand outlet in Paris on June 12, 2026, ahead of a two-day sumo tournament in the French capital from June 13.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers Shodai (L) and Atamifuji visit a Tudor wristwatch brand outlet in Paris on June 12, 2026, ahead of a two-day sumo tournament in the French capital from June 13.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers (from L) Tamawashi, Takayasu and Kotozakura take part in a traditional Japanese cultural event in Paris on June 12, 2026, ahead of a two-day sumo tournament in the French capital from June 13.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers Abi (C, back, L) and Wakamotoharu pose for a photo with children at an elementary school in Paris on June 12, 2026, ahead of a two-day sumo tournament in the French capital from June 13.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers (from L) Tamawashi, Takayasu and Kotozakura take part in a traditional Japanese cultural event in Paris on June 12, 2026, ahead of a two-day sumo tournament in the French capital from June 13.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers Abi (L) and Wakamotoharu visit an elementary school in Paris on June 12, 2026, ahead of a two-day sumo tournament in the French capital from June 13.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers enter the ring on the first day of a two-day tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers enter the ring on the first day of a two-day tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers enter the ring on the first day of a two-day tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers enter the ring on the first day of a two-day tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers enter the ring on the first day of a two-day tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers attend the opening ceremony of a two-day tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers attend the opening ceremony of a two-day sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers pose for a photo ahead of the opening of a two-day sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers attend the opening ceremony of a two-day sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers pose for a photo ahead of the opening of a two-day sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo: Paris tournament

Sumo wrestlers pose for a photo ahead of the opening of a two-day sumo tournament at Accor Arena in Paris on June 13, 2026.

Oil Wrestling Tournament - Turkey

Oil Wrestling Tournament - Turkey

Two gravestones mark the resting place of legendary Kirkpinar wrestlers in Edirne, Turkey, July 2018. Each year, about one thousand wrestlers from across Turkey come to Edirne to compete in the historic Kirkpinar oil wrestling tournament. Photo by Konstantin Novakovic/Middle East Images/ABACAPRESS.COM

Ex-sumo stablemaster Tokitsukaze arrested

Ex-sumo stablemaster Tokitsukaze arrested

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi speaks at a news conference in Tokyo on Feb. 7 after police arrested former stablemaster Tokitsukaze and three senior wrestlers from the stable for their suspected involvement in the death of 17-year-old wrestler Tokitaizan during training last June after two days of alleged hazing.

Ex-sumo stablemaster Tokitsukaze arrested

Ex-sumo stablemaster Tokitsukaze arrested

TOKYO, Japan - Sumo stablemaster Tokitsukaze bows in apology during a press conference at his stable in Tokyo on Feb. 7 after police arrested his predecessor, the former stablemaster Tokitsukaze, and three senior wrestlers from the stable over their suspected involvement in the death of 17-year-old wrestler Tokitaizan during training last June after two days of alleged hazing. (Pool photo)

Sumo's summer tour begins

Sumo's summer tour begins

TOMIOKA, Japan - Local people watch sumo wrestlers practicing during their summer regional tour of the nation in Tomioka, Gunma Prefecture, on Aug. 3. Mongolian-born grand champion Asashoryu is not taking part in the tour after he was suspended from the next two grand sumo tournaments because he played in a charity soccer event in his home country, despite citing injuries that allowed him to sit out of the summer tour.

Mongolia's summer sports festival Naadam in Ulan Bator

Mongolia's summer sports festival Naadam in Ulan Bator

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - Wrestlers square off in Mongolian wrestling at Naadam, a traditional summer sports event in Mongolia, at the Central Stadium in Ulan Bator on July 11, 2014. Participants compete in horse racing and archery as well as Mongolian wrestling during the two-day event.

Sumo match fixing

Sumo match fixing

TOKYO, Japan - Stablemaster Takenawa is surrounded by reporters on the premises of Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena on April 1, 2011. Takenawa and wrestlers Chiyohakuho and Enatsukasa, who earlier admitted their involvement in match fixing, received two-year suspensions from the sport the same day from the Japan Sumo Association as punishment.

3 sumo wrestlers, elder admit to match-fixing

3 sumo wrestlers, elder admit to match-fixing

TOKYO, Japan - Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hanaregoma talks to reporters about a match fixing allegation at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Feb. 3, 2011, as two sumo wrestlers and one elder have admitted to being involved in fixing bouts.

Ex-sumo wrestlers arrested over gambling

Ex-sumo wrestlers arrested over gambling

OSAKA, Japan - Investigators enter the residence of the mother of former sumo wrestler Sadahide Furuichi in Katano, Osaka Prefecture, on Jan. 26, 2011. The police arrested Furuichi and his mother, Yoneko, as well as two other former wrestlers on suspicion of organizing illegal baseball gambling as part of an investigation into a major scandal that has tarnished the traditional sport.

JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

JSA fires Kotomitsuki over gambling scandal

NAGOYA, Japan - Sumo stablemaster Onomatsu, the coach of several wrestlers who allegedly gambled on baseball, bows in apology at a hotel in Nagoya on July 4, 2010, after the Japan Sumo Association decided to demote him two ranks and make him ineligible for promotion for the next 10 years. (Pool photo)

Sumo referee falls off ring during match in rare accident

Sumo referee falls off ring during match in rare accident

TOKYO, Japan - Three separate photos show a rare accident in which a sumo ''gyoji'' referee fell off the ''dohyo'' ring during a match at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan on Jan. 19. (Top) Referee Waichiro Kimura falls off the ring during a match between rank-and-filers Hokutoriki and Tosanoumi after tripping over Hokutoriki's leg when the referee was trying to take a close look at the wrestlers' moves. (Center) Kimura (R) rushes into the ring again while the two wrestlers continue to fight. (Bottom) The referee judges the contest safely as Hokutoriki (L) sends Tosanoumi out of the ring.

3 wrestlers get suspended terms for fatal hazing of teen stablemate

3 wrestlers get suspended terms for fatal hazing of teen stablemate

NAGOYA, Japan - Masato Saito answers questions from reporters outside the Nagoya District Court on Dec. 18 after the local court sentenced three sumo wrestlers, who were stablemates of his son, Takashi, also a sumo wrestler, to two-and-a-half to three years in prison, suspended for five years, for fatally hazing the 17-year-old last year in Aichi Prefecture.

New sumo chief urges young wrestlers to be 'self-aware and behave'

New sumo chief urges young wrestlers to be 'self-aware and behave'

TOKYO, Japan - Musashigawa (R), the former yokozuna Mienoumi, watches morning drills by sumo wrestlers at his Musashigawa sumo stable in Tokyo on Sept. 9, a day after he took over the chairmanship of the Japan Sumo Association from Kitanoumi, who was forced to resign in the wake of alleged use of marijuana by two Russian sumo wrestlers. Musashigawa summoned all the wrestlers in his stable after the morning drills and, apparently referring to the marijuana scandal, told them to be ''self-aware and behave.''

Japan Sumo Association head Kitanoumi resigns

Japan Sumo Association head Kitanoumi resigns

TOKYO, Japan - Former Japan Sumo Association Chairman Kitanoumi speaks at a news conference at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sept. 8 after sumo's governing body accepted his resignation over the alleged use of marijuana by two Russian wrestlers. At Kitanoumi's right is the new JSA chairman, Musashigawa, the former yokozuna Mienoumi.

Mongolian sumo exhibition tour begins

Mongolian sumo exhibition tour begins

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - Sumo wrestlers and officials appear before around 2,700 fans as a two-day sumo exhibition tour commences in the Mongolian capital of Ulan Bator on Aug. 27.

Asashoryu, Kotooshu, Kaio visit Genghis Khan monument

Asashoryu, Kotooshu, Kaio visit Genghis Khan monument

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - (From L to R) Japanese ozeki Kaio, Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu and Mongolian sumo grand champion Asashoryu wave to well-wishers after visiting the Genghis Khan monument (background) in Ulan Bator on Aug. 26. The three wrestlers are part of a Japan Sumo Association delegation which will stage a two-day exhibition tournament in Ulan Bator on Aug. 27 and 28.

Asashoryu, Kotooshu, Kaio meet with Mongolian president

Asashoryu, Kotooshu, Kaio meet with Mongolian president

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - Mongolian sumo grand champion Asashoryu (3rd L), Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (2nd L) and Japanese ozeki Kaio present a calligraphy artwork to Mongolian President Nambaryn Enkhbayar(R) after a meeting with the Mongolian leader at the presidential palace in Ulan Bator on Aug. 26. The three wrestlers are part of a Japan Sumo Association delegation to hold a two-day exhibition tournament in Ulan Bator on Aug. 27 and 28.

Sumo wrestlers welcomed to Ulan Bator

Sumo wrestlers welcomed to Ulan Bator

ULAN BATOR, Mongolia - Mongolian sumo grand champion Asashoryu (L) and Bulgarian ozeki Kotooshu (R) are welcomed by Mongolians in traditional attire on their arrival at Ghengis Khan International Airport outside Ulan Bator on Aug. 25. The two wrestlers are part of a Japan Sumo Association delegation to hold a two-day exhibition tournament in Ulan Bator on Aug. 27 and 28.

Japanese sumo wrestlers in Hawaii

Japanese sumo wrestlers in Hawaii

HONOLULU, United States - Ozeki Kaio (front) charges during a sightseeing tour of Oahu island on June 7. A delegation of sumo wrestlers arrived in Honolulu earlier in the day to take part in a sumo exhibition tournament, the first in 14 years. The two-day exhibition meet involving wrestlers in the top makuuchi division will be held June 9-10.

Japanese sumo wrestlers in Hawaii

Japanese sumo wrestlers in Hawaii

HONOLULU, United States - Newly promoted yokozuna Hakuho (R) and ozeki Kaio take a sightseeing tour of Oahu island shortly after arriving in Honolulu to take part in a sumo exhibition tournament in Hawaii, the first in 14 years. The two-day exhibition meet involving wrestlers in the top makuuchi division will be held June 9-10.

(1) Japanese wrestlers off to strong in elimination matches

(1) Japanese wrestlers off to strong in elimination matches

ATHENS, Greece - Japan's Chiharu Icho attacks Canada's Lyndsay Belisle in the women's freestyle 48-kilogram pool elimination match at Ano Liossia Olympic Hall on Aug. 22. Icho won two straight matches to breeze into the semifinals.

(2)Japanese sumo wrestlers in Beijing

(2)Japanese sumo wrestlers in Beijing

BEIJING, China - Japanese sumo wrestlers, in Beijing to take part in a two-day exhibition tournament, are featured in local newspapers on June 6.

(1)Japanese sumo wrestlers in Beijing

(1)Japanese sumo wrestlers in Beijing

BEIJING, China - Japanese sumo's makuuchi wrestlers Hokutoriki (L) and Takamisakari (R) get taiqi exercise at a park in Beijing on June 6. They are in Beijing to fight in a two-day exhibition tournament.

(3)Beijing citizens enjoy Japanese sumo

(3)Beijing citizens enjoy Japanese sumo

BEIJING, China - Chinese audiences give a big applause as ozeki Chiyotaikai topples yokozuna Asashoryu in a final bout as Japanese sumo wrestlers kick off their two-day exhibition tournament in Beijing on June 5.