Mie Nishi bills itself as the only gym outside Japan solely dedicated to sumo. It’s a vibrant, and sweaty, reminder that Brazil has the largest Japanese population outside the homeland and its culture has become an ever-present part of Brazilian life.
The counting is in Japanese, but few here look like gargantuan sumo wrestlers. Many are thin and sinewy, sweat beading on their tanned skin. Some men have goatees, others full beards. Very few are of Japanese descent. They wear boxer briefs or bike shorts under theirDuring practice at Mie Nishi gym in Sao Paulo, Brazil, sumo athletes work on a fundamental exercise calledThere even are a few women here — something unheard of in Japan.
His legs don’t quiver like those of some of the others. He’s been doing this for 13 years, ever since he was spotted helping his uncle, who owns a tent rental business, at a sumo event in his hometown of Londrina.Even at 12 he was a big kid, but back then he knew nothing about sumo. The only Japanese culture he had been exposed to was the anime series he sometimes watched on TV.
This class is fuller than usual. It’s the last time they’ll train before they compete. The megacity is hosting both the local Paulista Championships as well as tryouts for the Brazilian national team, set to participate in the Sumo World Championships this October in Japan. Junior doesn’t have to weigh in to know his category. Men’s heavyweights are anything above 253 pounds. But weight, he says, isn’t what matters. It’s his preparedness, his agility and his skill that will take him far. His focus now is solely on Shimazaki’s instructions.
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