Tokyo, Dec 12 (AFP/APP): The quintessentially Japanese sport of sumo stops the country during the six big tournaments per year, with millions glued to the live action on TV. Here are five key facts about the roly-poly sport which dates back centuries, has links to the Shinto religion and plays a central role in Japanese culture. – Nearly nude – Sumo wrestlers squeeze their bulky frames into a mawashi, which looks like a baby’s nappy or diaper but is actually carefully designed sportswear. It is the only thing worn in the ring and also allows wrestlers to grip their opponent as they grapple. The belts can be more than nine metres (30 feet) long, made from cotton when training and silk for official tournaments or “bashos”. To slip into the belt, the naked wrestler first passes the mawashi between his legs. Then, with the help of assistants, he spins around so it fits snugly around the waist. It must be tightly tied at the back, both to ensure it stays on but perhaps more importantly to prevent opponents from being able to dig their fingers too far down in the belt, giving them a more solid grip. – The rules … Continue reading Five key facts about sumo, a sport like no other