sumo

su·mo

noun \ˈsü-(ˌ)mō\

Definition of SUMO

: a Japanese form of wrestling in which a contestant loses if he is forced out of the ring or if any part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground

Origin of SUMO

Japanese sumō

First Known Use: 1880

sumo

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Japanese form of wrestling.A contestant loses if he is forced out of the ring (a 15-ft circle) or if any part of his body except the soles of his feet touches the ground. In sumo, a wrestler's weight, size, and strength are of the greatest importance, though speed and suddenness of attack are also useful. The wrestlers, who are fed a special protein diet and may weigh over 300 lbs (136 kg), wear only loincloths and grip each other by the belt. Sumo wrestling is an ancient sport with a complex system of ranking; at the top of the hierarchy is the yokozuna (“grand champion”). Lengthy rituals and elaborate posturings accompany the bouts, which are extremely brief, often lasting only a few seconds.