麻豆社

Legendary sumo wrestling star Konishiki Yasokichi discovers how the ancient Japanese tradition is being taken up by people all over the world. Konishiki recalls how he was talent scouted while playing on the beach near his home in Hawaii - a life changing experience that would see him become one of the most celebrated sumo wrestlers. His success as the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach 艒zeki, the second-highest possible rank, helped to popularise sumo outside Japan.

He retired in 1997 but sumo continues to inspire and Konishiki hears from people following the Japanese tradition but developing their own style of amateur sumo. He hears from amateur wrestlers training in Derby, England, from a mother and daughter in Sydney who sumo wrestle together and from the Dallas Sumo Club where wrestlers have developed their own style and wear cowboy Stetsons.

Konishiki soaks up the atmosphere at Tokyo鈥檚 famous Ry艒goku Kokugikan stadium - the home of sumo - and hears how the Japanese dominance of professional sumo has been threatened in recent years by wrestlers from Mongolia. Women remain barred from the pro-tradition in Japan but barriers are breaking down in amateur sumo with wrestlers like 24-year-old Hyori Kon (nicknamed Little Miss Sumo) blazing a trail as she campaigns for equality, Meanwhile the ancient tradition stands on the verge of being accepted as a sport in the Olympic Games.

Producers: Ashley Byrne/Darryl Morris

(Photo: Konishiki Yasokichi)

A Made in Manchester production for 麻豆社 World Service