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Quiz about Sumo Madness
Quiz about Sumo Madness

Sumo Madness Trivia Quiz


Here's a few questions on the history and some general facts on this great Japanese sport.

A multiple-choice quiz by graz1. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
graz1
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
173,212
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
380
- -
Question 1 of 10
1. Sumo Wrestlers are known for their large girth and huge stomachs. Their weight varies even in the top division from 200 to over 500 pounds. How many different weight divisions are there in Sumo? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. The Sumo Ring or Dohyo is considered very Sacred. In the top divisions, salt is thrown into the dohyo to purify it prior to the match. Who is never allowed to step in the Dohyo? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Sumo Wrestlers are plagued with health problems, particularly diabetes and liver ailments. Many have died at an extremely young age. Who was the last Yokozuna to die during the 20th century while still being an active wrestler? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Winning streaks in Sumo are like any other sport. A combination of skill and luck, nobody can perform 100% every day. Which wrestler won 69 consecutive bouts, the most during the 20th century? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Younger Sumo Wrestlers have to rely on their elders for money, as they receive no regular salary until they prove themselves and advance up the ranking ladder. At what rank do Sumo Wrestlers start earning a salary and getting a regular check? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. Wrestlers can advance to the top division and wrestle there for 10 to 15 years, without ever winning the tournament. Of these four retired wrestlers, which one won more Makuuchi Championships or Grand Tournaments? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Sumo is steeped in family tradition. Numerous sons have followed in their fathers footsteps, not to mention brothers who wrestled and succeeded in the sport. Takanohana I, stablemaster of Futagoyama Beya, sired 2 sons (Takanohana II and Wakanohana III) who both rose to the top rank of Yokozuna. What was Takanohana I's top rank? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. To qualify for Yokozuna, a wrestler not only has to prove himself on the dohyo, but must also be worthy of the promotion based on his demeanor and conduct off the dohyo. Two Yokozuna, Wajima and Futahaguro, did not live up to the standards off the dohyo, and left sumo in disgrace and became professional wrestlers.


Question 9 of 10
9. Over the years, numerous foreigners have joined the ranks of Sumo. Americans from Hawaii (and one from St. Louis) have been successful, and two (Akebono and Mushshimaru) reached the rank of Yokozuna. Mongolians have also been making their mark in the sport with Asashoryu rising to the rank of Yokozuna. Who was the first American born wrestler to win the Grand Tournament? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. One American rose to the top division long before an American won the Grand Tournament. Who was the first American born Sumo Wrestler to reach the top Makuuchi division? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Sumo Wrestlers are known for their large girth and huge stomachs. Their weight varies even in the top division from 200 to over 500 pounds. How many different weight divisions are there in Sumo?

Answer: None

Sumo is based strictly on skill, it's not uncommon for a 200 pound wrestler to fight a 400 pounder and beat him.
2. The Sumo Ring or Dohyo is considered very Sacred. In the top divisions, salt is thrown into the dohyo to purify it prior to the match. Who is never allowed to step in the Dohyo?

Answer: Women

Women are never allowed inside the dohyo, including the stablemaster's wife or Okamisan, who acts as a mother to the younger wrestlers. The Mayor of Osaka (a female) challenged this in in the early 2000s in order to present a trophy during that city's basho, but her challenge was rejected.
3. Sumo Wrestlers are plagued with health problems, particularly diabetes and liver ailments. Many have died at an extremely young age. Who was the last Yokozuna to die during the 20th century while still being an active wrestler?

Answer: Tamanoumi

All of the above died while still active wrestlers. Tamanoumi died from heart failure following an appendectomy in 1971.
4. Winning streaks in Sumo are like any other sport. A combination of skill and luck, nobody can perform 100% every day. Which wrestler won 69 consecutive bouts, the most during the 20th century?

Answer: Futabayama

Futabayama won an incredible 69 bouts in a row in the late 1930s. Considered the top Sumo-tori of all time, he never revealed he was totally blind in one eye until after he retired.
5. Younger Sumo Wrestlers have to rely on their elders for money, as they receive no regular salary until they prove themselves and advance up the ranking ladder. At what rank do Sumo Wrestlers start earning a salary and getting a regular check?

Answer: Juryo

The pay system in Sumo is extremely complicated. Although wins during one's career count toward his paycheck, until the wrestler reaches Juryo, he does not receive a salary.
6. Wrestlers can advance to the top division and wrestle there for 10 to 15 years, without ever winning the tournament. Of these four retired wrestlers, which one won more Makuuchi Championships or Grand Tournaments?

Answer: Taiho (1960-1971)

Taiho won 32 tournaments, Chiyonofuji 31, Kitanoumi 24, and Futabayama only won 12 tournaments. However, at the time Futabayama was wrestling only two tournaments a year were held (six a year since 1958).
7. Sumo is steeped in family tradition. Numerous sons have followed in their fathers footsteps, not to mention brothers who wrestled and succeeded in the sport. Takanohana I, stablemaster of Futagoyama Beya, sired 2 sons (Takanohana II and Wakanohana III) who both rose to the top rank of Yokozuna. What was Takanohana I's top rank?

Answer: Ozeki

The senior Takanohana set a record for the most Tournaments as an Ozeki. He won 2 Grand Championships. His sons, both retired now, combined for a total of 27 Grand Championships.
8. To qualify for Yokozuna, a wrestler not only has to prove himself on the dohyo, but must also be worthy of the promotion based on his demeanor and conduct off the dohyo. Two Yokozuna, Wajima and Futahaguro, did not live up to the standards off the dohyo, and left sumo in disgrace and became professional wrestlers.

Answer: True

Futahaguro (aka Kitao) quit Sumo after an arguement with his Oyakata or stablemaster, in which he slapped the stablemaster's wife. After his retirement Wajima became a Stablemaster but had some heavy gambling debts, and pawned his Toshiyori (Sumo Association Stock) to the Yakuza. Neither were ever allowed to step foot in the Kokugikan (Sumo Stadium) again, even though professional wrestling matches are held when Sumo Tournaments are not going on.
9. Over the years, numerous foreigners have joined the ranks of Sumo. Americans from Hawaii (and one from St. Louis) have been successful, and two (Akebono and Mushshimaru) reached the rank of Yokozuna. Mongolians have also been making their mark in the sport with Asashoryu rising to the rank of Yokozuna. Who was the first American born wrestler to win the Grand Tournament?

Answer: Takamiyama

Takamiyama won the July 1972 Grand Tournament.
10. One American rose to the top division long before an American won the Grand Tournament. Who was the first American born Sumo Wrestler to reach the top Makuuchi division?

Answer: Toyonishiki

Toyonishiki (Kiichiro Ozaki), born in Colorado, was the son of Japanese parents and presumably had no trouble passing for Japanese during the war. He reached the top division in 1944.
Source: Author graz1

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