Three professional sumo wrestlers, including Anzenkin and Ura, held a talk event with local fans in Paris on June 11 [3].
The event serves as a promotional bridge to increase the sport's visibility in Europe before the wrestlers compete in scheduled performances on June 13 and 14 [4]. By engaging directly with the public, the athletes aim to demystify the rigorous lifestyle and cultural traditions of sumo for a French audience.
During the interaction, the wrestlers discussed the immense physical demands of their profession. Ura said he consumes 8,000 kilocalories per day [1]. This revelation surprised many attendees, who were curious about the scale of nutrition required to maintain a competitive sumo physique.
Anzenkin provided a more lighthearted contrast to the high-calorie requirements. He said, "I am full with three croissants. I will do my best to convey the charm of sumo, so please support us" [2].
The presence of the athletes drew an emotional response from the local community. One Paris-based sumo fan said it felt as though they were trembling to finally see the wrestlers in person after only watching them on television [2].
The event marks a strategic effort to expand the global footprint of the sport. While sumo is deeply rooted in Japanese tradition, these international exhibitions allow the wrestlers to act as cultural ambassadors. The combination of high-profile talk events and live matches is designed to cultivate a sustainable fan base outside of Asia [1].
“"1日に8000キロカロリー取ります"”
This outreach reflects a broader strategy to internationalize sumo by leveraging the personalities of its wrestlers. By blending the spectacle of the sport with personal anecdotes about diet and daily life, the organization is attempting to transition sumo from a niche curiosity to a recognized professional sport in the European market.
