With a history stretching back millennia, sumo is often referred to as Japan¡¯s kokugi, or national sport.
While not an official designation, it¡¯s a description that few in the sport shy away from, with three of the Japan Sumo Association¡¯s six yearly tournaments taking place in an arena called the Kokugikan (National Sport Hall), and the organization itself headquartered in the same building.
Sumo¡¯s deep connection to its country of origin may be unparalleled, but for most of the last century it has played second fiddle to baseball in terms of popularity.
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