Showing 1 - 10 of 40
'Empowering': Ireland's first female sumo wrestler blazes a trail
AFP, Published on 01/02/2026
» BELFAST - Sweat darkened the white "dohyo" ring mat as Ireland's first female sumo wrestler shoved and strained, learning a freshly-discovered sport.
Sumo diplomacy: Japan's heavyweight 'soft power' ambassadors
AFP, Published on 30/01/2026
» TOKYO - Two giants stare each other down before colliding with a dull thud. After years on the sidelines, sumo is back centrestage as part of Japan's soft power arsenal overseas.
From hair weaves to dagger-toting refs: five sumo facts
AFP, Published on 26/11/2025
» TOKYO — Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn celebrated his promotion to the ancient Japanese sport's second-highest rank on Wednesday by holding aloft a large sea bream.
Ukrainian sumo wrestler earns record-breaking promotion
AFP, Published on 26/11/2025
» TOKYO — Sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn made more history on Wednesday as he became the first Ukrainian to be promoted to the ancient Japanese sport's second-highest rank, doing it in record time.
Ukrainian sumo wrestler surprised he won his first title
AFP, Published on 24/11/2025
» TOKYO - Ukrainian sumo wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn said on Monday that he had surprised even himself by becoming the first from his country to win a tournament in the ancient Japanese sport.
Sumo stars make giant splash in London
AFP, Published on 16/10/2025
» LONDON — For one week, a corner of London has been transformed into a pocket of ancient Japan, with dozens of sumo wrestlers descending on the city in a rare foray outside the sport's homeland.
Ukrainian takes sumo by storm after fleeing war
AFP, Published on 09/10/2025
» TOKYO - Danilo Yavhushyshyn fled the war in his native Ukraine to follow his dream of becoming a professional sumo wrestler in Japan and has taken the ancient sport by storm.
Onosato, 24, promoted to sumo grand champion in record time
AFP, Published on 28/05/2025
» TOKYO — Sumo crowned a new grand champion in record time on Wednesday as Onosato became the fastest to attain the exalted rank of yokozuna in the Japanese sport's modern era.
New sumo grand master vows best behaviour after promotion
AFP, Published on 29/01/2025
» TOKYO — Sumo's only grand master Hoshoryu vowed not to "tarnish the title" after being officially promoted to the highest rank on Wednesday, 15 years after his uncle quit the sport in disgrace.
Lone wrestler at sumo's highest rank set to retire
AFP, Published on 17/01/2025
» TOKYO — Terunofuji is retiring from sumo, the ancient Japanese sport's governing body said Friday, potentially leaving it without a wrestler at the highest rank of yokozuna for the first time in over 30 years.