Sumo vs Lucha Libre: Chris Moss compares wrestling sports

Accessibility

Sumo
A great spectator sport and something you can try and be fairly good at within a short period of time. According to the British Sumo Federation, a rugby player could beat the world judo champion.
4/5

Lucha Libre
Mexico’s biggest sport after football, which last month came to London. It means “free wrestling” which anyone can train to do, although the choreographed circus-like skills may take time to perfect.
1/5

Cardio fitness

Sumo
Sumo training is extremely demanding. Training often involves playing “King of the Mountain” whereby the winner stays on – taking part in three, four or more hard wrestles.
4/5

Lucha Libre
Mexican wrestling is fast, frantic and full of short bursts of high-burnout action. The heart is worked hard throughout these bouts.
5/5

Muscle development

Sumo
The quadriceps become very strong because that’s where most of the power has to come from for pushing and lifting (tsuri). Traditional exercises such as shiko (leg stamping) and squatting also help.
4/5

Lucha Libre
Lucha libre wrestlers come in all shapes and sizes but the typical Mexican player has well developed chest and stomach muscles, and strong arms and legs.
4/5

Mental agility

Sumo
A rikishi (sumo wrestler) has to react very quickly, especially at the tachi-ai (start of a bout). The psychological build-up before the actual start is where the fight is said to be won or lost.
5/5

Lucha Libre
Speedy reflexes are of the essence if a luchador is to score points, and also to avoid injury. As “tag” bouts involve three opponents, the wrestler must be aware of all angles of the ring at all times.
4/5

Injuries

Sumo
Fought on a dohyo, a solid clay surface two feet off the ground with sloping sides. There are no soft mats to fall on and the wrestlers can weigh up to 300kg – so accidental impact can be serious.
3/5

Lucha Libre
A key move is the “plancha” or “iron”, during which wrestlers flatten each other using their full body weight – this can cause bruising and moderate agony.
3/5

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