Rikishi facts for kids

This page is about the sumo wrestler. For the professional wrestler, see Rikishi (wrestler).

A rikishi (Japanese: 力士) is a professional sumo wrestler. The Japanese characters making up the name mean "strong man". The people who take part in sumo wrestling are very strong and big.

During their careers, the sumo wrestlers live in "stables" kept by a former wrestler. The former wrestler makes sure the new wrestlers who live there live a very strict life.

Gallery

Gallery
97 Rikishi of the Edo Period by Utagawa Kuniteru

Images for kids

Ukiyo-e print of the rikishi Inagawa Masanosuke, 1844
American-born Akebono was the first foreign-born rikishi to reach sumo's highest rank of yokozuna.
Sumo wrestler Somagahana Fuchiemon, c. 1850

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Rikishi Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.