Sumo is a Japanese kind of wrestling and Japan's national sport. It originated in ancient times as religious performances for the Shinto gods. Nowdays many of its rituals are still followed.
The basic rules of sumo are simple: The wrestler who either touches the floor with something else other than his sole first or leaves the ring before his opponent, loses. The fights themselves usually last only a few seconds and in rare cases up to one minute or more.

Six tournaments are held every year. Each one lasts fifteen days. Three of the tournaments are held in Tokyo, and one each in Fukuoka, Osaka, and Nagoya.

Most elite wrestlers are highly trained athletes who are between twenty-five years old. Besides working out, the wrestlers eat large amounts of food and go to bed right after eating in order to gain mass. The wrestlers live in special sumo houses where the rules are very strict especially for beginners.

Sumo is still popular, and the tournaments are broadcast live on television


1.Why do you think sumo wrestling is still practiced today? *


2.Why do you think sumo wrestling is still practiced today? *