TOKYO // Canadian Brodik Henderson is hoping his prowess in the remote world of US amateur sumo wrestling will translate into a professional career in the heartland of Japan’s ancient sport.
The 20-year-old native of Victoria, British Columbia, who is two metres tall and weighs 163 kilograms, will make his debut at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament which starts on Sunday.
Henderson, whose ring name is Homarenishiki, won the men’s openweight title at the US Sumo Open last year. But victory in US amateur sumo and success in a sport steeped in ancient rituals and Japanese tradition are different things.
There are no high fives or body slams in Japanese sumo. Wrestlers humbly bow to their opponents and are expected to uphold the rigid customs of the ages-old sport. Life outside the ring is just as demanding.
“Brodi is level headed, diligent and friendly, which serves him well in Japan,” said John Gunning, a sumo analyst who has followed the sport for about 14 years. “He has the ability to see the bigger picture, which is rare in young athletes, so I think he will be fine. He knows his own weaknesses and is working hard to overcome them.”
Sumo wrestlers, known as “rikishi” live in communal training stables where all aspects of their daily lives from meals to what they wear are dictated by strict traditions. Like all the younger wrestlers in the lower ranks, Henderson will be required to perform a variety of menial tasks that include cleaning toilets and washing the clothes of senior wrestlers.
That may not be easy for someone who grew up playing American football, ice hockey and was active on social media.
Because Henderson enters the sport at the lowest division of jonokuchi, the internet is out.
Many foreigners over the years have had trouble grappling with sumo’s unique customs.
“It’s not for everyone,” Gunning said. “The road to the top and lifestyle are much harder than people imagine. Usually, it’s the stuff outside the ring and how well foreign rikishi deal with it that determines their fate.”
Many sumo purists say foreign wrestlers lack the culture and manners – often described as “hinkaku”, or dignity – to reach the higher ranks.
Mongolian Asashoryu reached the highest rank of yokozuna. But his behaviour outside the ring derailed his career. He was forced out of sumo after being involved in several incidents, including in a late-night brawl in Tokyo’s Roppongi district.
Hawaiian Akebono also reached the highest rank of yokozuna and was able to adjust to life in Japan.
Gunning said Akebono is a good role model for Henderson. “If he can develop a style similar to former yokozuna Akebono I think his chances of a long and healthy career increase exponentially.”
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