• Menu
  • Menu
  • Sports
  • Subscribe now
    Digital subscription Print subscription ePaper subscription
  • Logout
Digital subscription
Print subscription
ePaper subscription
Trending
UAE holidays 2023 Golf in UAE Corporate Tax Hong Kong Fintech
  • Latest News
  • UAE
    • Education
    • Crime
    • Government
    • Emergencies
    • Environment
    • Science
    • Health
      • Why Worry
    • Transport
    • People
    • Weather
  • Living In UAE
    • Visa+Immigration
    • Housing
    • Phone+Internet
    • Banking
    • Transport
    • Health
    • Education
    • Relocate
    • Reader Queries
    • Safety+Security
  • Business
    • Banking & Insurance
    • Aviation
    • Property
    • Tax News
    • Corporate Tax
    • Analysis
    • Travel & Tourism
    • Markets
    • Retail
    • Corporate News
    • Tech
    • Auto
  • Best Buys
    • Electronics
    • Home and Kitchen
    • Offers
    • Consumables
    • Lifestyle
  • Your Money
    • Saving and Investment
    • Budget Living
    • Taxation
    • Expert Columns
    • Community Tips
    • Cryptocurrency
  • Food
    • Cooking and Cuisines
    • Guide to Cooking
    • Videos
  • Friday
    • Beauty
    • Wellbeing
    • Art & People
    • Home
    • Friday Partner
  • Games
    • Daily Crossword
    • Sudoku
    • Word Search
    • Spell It
    • Play
  • Parenting
    • Pregnancy & Baby
    • Learning & Play
    • Child Health
    • For Mums & Dads
    • Ask Us
    • Games
  • World
    • Gulf
      • Bahrain
      • Kuwait
      • Oman
      • Qatar
      • Saudi
      • Yemen
    • Mena
    • Europe
    • Africa
    • Americas
    • Asia
      • India
      • Pakistan
      • Philippines
    • Australia-New Zealand
    • Corrections
  • Opinion
    • Columnists
    • Editorials
    • Letters
    • From the Editors
  • Special Reports
  • UAE Success Stories
  • Magical Dubai
    • Dubai Life
    • Live the Luxury
    • Culture and History
    • Adventure
    • Staying Connected
  • Photos
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Sports
  • Sport
    • UAE Sport
    • Cricket
      • IPL
        • Chennai
        • Delhi
        • Punjab
        • Kolkata
        • Mumbai
        • Rajasthan
        • Bangalore
        • Hyderabad
        • Gujarat
        • Lucknow
        • Live Scores
        • Point Table
        • Top Scorers
      • ICC
      • T20 World Cup 2022
    • Motorsport
    • Football
    • Tennis
    • Golf in UAE
      • UAE
      • World
      • Photos & Videos
      • Course Reviews
      • Learn to Play
      • Gear
  • Entertainment
    • Hollywood
    • Bollywood
    • South Indian
    • Arab Celebs
    • Music
    • OTT
  • Going Out
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
    • Health+Fitness
    • Community
    • Fashion
  • GN Reach
  • Jobs
  • Tech
    • Electronics
    • Gaming
    • Media
  • Videos
    • How-To
    • Best Of Bollywood
    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Business
    • Sport
    • Community
    • Technology
  • GN Focus
    • Special Features
  • 50 MENA Leaders
  • The Kurator
    • Life
    • Luxury
    • Style
  • Gold-Forex
  • Gratuity Calculator
  • Notifications
  • Gold/Forex
  • Prayer Times
  • Cinema Listing
  • GN Store
  • About Gulf News
  • Contact us
  • Work with us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Advertise with us
  • Reach by GN
  • GN Focus
  • Gulf News epaper
  • Sitemap
  • Have your say
  • Printing Services
  • © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2023. All rights reserved.
    Meet Kyuta Kumagai: The 10-year-old, 85-kilo sumo in training

    Photos

    Login / Sign Up
    Logout
    Thursday, June 1, 2023
    Gold / Forex

    Photos Sports

    • News
    • Entertainment
    • Lifestyle
    • Business
    • Sports
    All Sections

    Meet Kyuta Kumagai: The 10-year-old, 85-kilo sumo in training

    Among the young sumo wrestlers lifting weights in the ring, 10-year-old Kyuta stands out


    Published:  January 19, 2021 15:20 Reuters  and  compiled by Balaram Menon, Senior Web Editor

    1 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230123Z_1386086884_RC2NAL95VUSK_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054758858
    At 85 kilograms, Kyuta Kumagai is twice the size of the other children his age and is so dominant that he wrestles, and beats, boys five or six years older. | Above: Kyuta does a plank during a one-on-one training session at the Buddhist temple Joshin-ji in Tokyo. Image Credit: REUTERS
    2 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230140Z_641721845_RC2NAL9J1XR2_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054728902
    Kyuta runs up stairs while training at Track Tokyo Running Club. Last year, he was crowned the under-10 world champion, beating out competition from as far afield as the United Kingdom and Ukraine. Image Credit: REUTERS
    3 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230125Z_935435449_RC2NAL9A6DR1_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054752670
    His training regime, devised by his father Taisuke (right), is relentless. Image Credit: REUTERS
    4 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230122Z_225002854_RC2NAL94GEJF_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054761795
    He trains six days a week, either at his local sumo club or lifting weights. He also swims and practices track and field to build up the flexibility and explosive quickness needed for sumo wrestling. Image Credit: REUTERS
    5 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230121Z_158374165_RC2NAL94IB07_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054764518
    Kyuta has been on the programme since his father entered him in a tournament while still in kindergarten. "I didnt teach him anything, he could do various things naturally," said Taisuke, a former amateur sumo. "There is a talent for sumo and he has that talent. He won the tournament. I thought he may have something special." Image Credit: REUTERS
    6 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230115Z_1550705173_RC2NAL9QTM9L_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054769061
    A shy boy of few words, Kyuta's motivations are simple. "It is fun to beat people older than me." Image Credit: REUTERS
    7 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230111Z_711574236_RC2NAL9K3DH3_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054772566
    When it became apparent the boy had talent, Taisuke moved the family to the Fukagawa area of Tokyo that is famous for producing sumo wrestlers. It has an abundance of clubs and Nominosukune Shrine, where the God of Sumo is said to reside, meaning there is a lot of local support for the Kumagais. Image Credit: REUTERS
    8 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T235846Z_1090859678_RC2NAL91XNFJ_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054712363
    Father and son use a local temple for intense one-on-one training. The sessions tend to finish with the pair wrestling up and down the carpet in front of the main shrine. | Above: Kyuta and his family pray at Nominosukune Shrine, where the God of Sumo is said to reside, in Tokyo. Image Credit: REUTERS
    9 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T235845Z_2035035640_RC2NAL906NNO_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054721665
    Kyuta talks to other students in a group discussion held in class, at Meiji Elementary School in Tokyo. Image Credit: REUTERS
    10 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230126Z_449177642_RC2NAL9LMBQQ_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054749199
    Taisuke pushes Kyuta so hard that the child is often left breathless and crying. But he believes it is the only way to get the best out of his son. Image Credit: REUTERS
    11 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230127Z_1472796247_RC2NAL91ZLIO_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054742801
    "I think he is managing to make time for himself and I think he has time to play with his friends," explained Taisuke. "I dont think it is too much pressure." Image Credit: REUTERS
    12 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230126Z_620892028_RC2NAL9TCD76_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054746162
    The training is expensive and requires a huge commitment from the entire family, including his mother Makiko. "I dont do gambling (at a casino). Instead, I'm betting everything on this," Taisuke said. | Above: Kyuta carries his sister Nanami, 16, on his back at their home. Image Credit: REUTERS
    13 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230134Z_1244886757_RC2NAL9V99XC_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054735447
    Kyuta eats steak, which his father bought him as a reward after training, at 'Chime', a restaurant in Tokyo. Key to any sumos success is their diet. On an average day, Kyuta will consume 2,700 to 4,000 calories, including over a litre of milk and copious amounts of protein. Steak is his favourite. Image Credit: REUTERS
    14 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230125Z_1720411982_RC2NAL90MGRF_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054756238
    Over a bowl of chanko nabe, a speciality sumo broth, Taisuke said Kyuta needs to put on another 20 kg by the time he enters middle school in two years. | Above: Kyuta has dinner with his mother Makiko, 47, and sister Nanami, 16, at their home. Image Credit: REUTERS
    15 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230134Z_2060238623_RC2NAL90KS0Z_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054732092
    If he does that, the hope is he will be taken in by a high-profile sumo stable and Taisuke said there has already been interest. Image Credit: REUTERS
    16 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230111Z_113367241_RC2NAL99NTPM_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054776242
    His current coach, former professional wrestler Shinichi Taira, thinks Kyuta has what it takes. "At the moment, he has great talent," said Taira. | Above: Kyuta wrestles with a boy the same age as him, during a training session at Buddy acL Ariake's wrestling club. Image Credit: REUTERS
    17 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T230133Z_1948745661_RC2NAL9VZQDY_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054738596
    A trophy, which Kyuta won at the Hakuho Cup 2020 sumo tournament, is displayed in the living room of his home. Kyuta wants to reach the level of yokozuna - the highest ranking in the sport. But he admits the regime can be brutal. Image Credit: REUTERS
    18 of 18
    Copy of 2021-01-18T235845Z_810390409_RC2NAL9AK6EF_RTRMADP_3_SUMO-JAPAN-KID-1611054718444
    "Sumo training is something you dont describe with words like enjoy," Kyuta said. "When it became tough I have thought about (quitting) sometimes." For now though, the grind towards the top continues, for both father and son. | Above: Kyuta, wears a protective face mask as he spends time with his friends at Meiji Elementary School. Image Credit: REUTERS

    Trending

    • Who’s Noor Alfallah, Al Pacino’s new girlfriend?

      Who’s Noor Alfallah, Al Pacino’s new girlfriend?

    Latest In

    • Train coach at Kerala station burnt, probe launched

      6 minutes ago

    • The shocking ordeal of India’s medal-winning athletes

      7 minutes ago

    • Sri Lanka set to unleash IPL star Pathirana

      24 minutes ago

    • UAE's Dr. Sultan Al Jaber has all credentials for COP28

      30 minutes ago

    • Spell It: How to turn procrastination into productivity

      52 minutes ago

    Go back to top
    Network links:
    • getthat
    • Jobs
    • GN Store
    • About Gulf News
    • Contact us
    • Work with us
    • Terms and Conditions
    • Privacy Policy
    • Advertise with us
    • Reach by GN
    • GN Focus
    • Gulf News epaper
    • Sitemap
    • Have your say
    • Printing Services
    Find us on Social
    © Al Nisr Publishing LLC 2023. All rights reserved.
    This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your experience and provide more personalized service to you. Both on your website and other media. To find out more about the cookies and data we use, please check out our Privacy Policy.
    Share on Facebook
    Share on Twitter
    Share on Whatsapp
    Share on Mail
    Share on LinkedIn
    Close
    Gulf News

    Get Breaking News Alerts From Gulf News

    We’ll send you latest news updates through the day. You can manage them any time by clicking on the notification icon.

    Subscribe No Thanks
    Continue reading Gulf News
    Dear Reader, please register to read gulfnews.com

    Dear Reader,

    This section is about Living in UAE and essential information you cannot live without.

    Register to read and get full access to gulfnews.com

    Create your account
    or login if you already have one
    First name is required.
    Last name is required.
    Please enter a valid email address.
    Password should have minimum 7 characters with at least one letter and number
    Passwords do not match

    By clicking below to sign up, you're agreeing to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

    Login your account
    New to Gulf News? Sign up now
    Please enter your email address.
    Please enter your password.

    Forgot password

    or