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Sumo moves for big break in global sports scene
(AFP)
Updated: 2005-10-12 11:21

LAS VEGAS (AFP) - Sumo wrestling, body-slamming fury combined with centuries of tradition, is expanding beyond Asia and showing the world that the ancient sport is far more than fat guys wearing black diapers. Giant-sized sumo are massive yet nimble, agility and obesity combined in ritual pageantry one moment and body-slamming ferocity the next. And that impact is slowly being felt outside the sport's Japanese homeland.

umo wrestler Asashoryu (R) of Mongolia faces off against second day champion Chiyotaikai of Japan in a grand championship playoff during the final day of the Grand Sumo Las Vegas tournament at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada October 9, 2005.
Sumo wrestler Asashoryu (R) of Mongolia faces off against second day champion Chiyotaikai of Japan in a grand championship playoff during the final day of the Grand Sumo Las Vegas tournament at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada October 9, 2005. [Reuters]
Grand champion Asashoryu of Mongolia was among 38 sumo here last weekend at the first elite US sumo event in 20 years, only the 13th ever outside Japan with prior stops in China, South Korea, Australia, England, France and Brazil.

"We hope this event will contribute to creating further friendship between Japan and America," Japan Sumo Association chairman Toshimitsu Kitanoumi said. "It's a great honor to present sumo at the entertainment capital of the world."

Sumo wrestlers wearing traditional silk robes played casino slot machines and at sumo-themed blackjack tables, the religion-linked sport taking its place among the neon glamour of America's "Sin City".

Gambling's high rollers stopped to watch huge wrestlers walk through the casino, big spenders side by side with the biggest sportsmen of all, made that way by huge portions of "chanko nabe", a stew of fish, meat and vegetables.

"One of my portions equals that of five normal people," Asashoryu said.
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