Marine Headline News
Marines
battle sumo wrestlers in annual Henoko exhibition
HENOKO, Okinawa,
Japan — U.S. Marines battled heavyweight sumo wrestlers in
the annual Henoko Sumo Wrestling Tournament at Mae-no-Hama
Beach here May 29. The tournament is a precursor to the annual
dragon boat races.
With different rules
than traditional sumo wrestling, Okinawan sumo wrestlers stand
upright and grasp each other's belts. By using strength,
momentum and a combination of moves they force their
opponent's back on the dohyou (ground of the sumo ring) to
receive a point. The first wrestler to score two points wins.
Winning a match against the sumos proved difficult for the
Marines.
“Not only does my
back hurt, but my ribs, chest and arms are also throbbing,”
Pfc. Ed K. Vides said, after being toppled by the heaviest
sumo wrestler in the tournament.
Prohibited moves in
Okinawan sumo wrestling are minimal when compared to other
sports. Infractions that can result in a lost bout include
intentionally grabbing an opponent's hair or throat, ear
slapping, kicking to certain parts of the body, bending
fingers and bear hugging.
According to Lance
Cpl. Jason G. Alvarez, this tournament was the perfect
opportunity to leave the barracks and get involved with the
local community.
The wrestlers were
well underway until a sudden rainstorm disrupted the action,
postponing the tournament until the storm passed.
“A little rain
can’t ruin the tournament,” Alvarez said. “If you are
going to take away anything from being stationed in Okinawa,
you may as well do something because you may never get the
chance to do again.”
Before the
championship finale began, friendship matches pitted Henoko
residents against Marine competitors. In six matches, two
Marines hailed victorious.
“After getting
beat, I realized that my opponent was a local favorite,”
Pfc. Raymond Salazar said. “I guess the guy has been the
defending champion for the past couple years.”
The champion who
beat Salazar, Shoji Gishitomi, still showed sportsmanship when
the two bowed to each other.
Salazar was happy
when the match was over and said he has a lot more respect for
sumo wrestling after the grueling match,
According to
Alvarez, although none of the Marines were victorious in the
championship matches, they all had a great time.
HENOKO, Okinawa,
Japan – Lance Cpl. Jason G. Alvarez, prepares to wrestle the
defending champion Shoji Gishitomi during a friendship match
at the annual Henoko Sumo Wrestling Tournament at Mae-no-Hama
Beach May 29.
(U.S. Marine Corps
photo by Lance Cpl. Joel Abshier) (Released)
