In Japan, women’s sumo battles tradition and a male-dominated system for survival

Women's sumo in Japan continues to fight against deep-seated cultural traditions, religious bans, and a lack of official institutional recognition. More than 600 women across over 70 clubs participate in the amateur sport despite facing exclusion from the professional Japan Sumo Association and centuries-old prohibitions barring females from stepping onto the sacred dohyo ring.

Wrestlers such as heavyweight Airi Hisano balance regular day jobs with rigorous training routines while contending with limited post-university opportunities. Competitors and coaches like Mao Ueda emphasize that gaining broader public awareness and achieving eventual inclusion in the Olympic Games remain vital goals for the sport's long-term survival.