Sumo wrestling performance to be held in Thailand next June announced locally, sumo wrestlers mingling in slums

An overseas performance of sumo wrestling will be held in Bangkok, Thailand in June next year. Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku (former yokozuna Kitakatsuumi) made the announcement on the 9th while visiting Bangkok. The event coincides with the 140th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Japan and Thailand in 2027, and will be the first overseas sumo performance to be held in Southeast Asia.

This will be their third consecutive overseas performance, following London in 2025 and Paris in June of this year. This is the first large-scale event in Southeast Asia since the tour to Jakarta, Indonesia in 2013.

It will be held from June 11th to 13th next year. Approximately 5,800 seats will be provided at the event venue in central Bangkok, close to the Japanese Embassy in Thailand. Approximately 70 sumo wrestlers will participate, and local soil will be used for the ring. Events are also planned to coincide with the performance, such as a dedication ceremony by Yokozuna to enter the ring in the ancient capital of Ayutthaya, where a Japanese town existed for a time from around the 16th century.

At a press conference held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand on the 9th, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak said, ``Sumo is not a sport, but an ancient Japanese traditional culture,'' and said of the Bangkok performance, ``I am truly honored and happy.'' Chairman Hakkaku said, ``We want to showcase our traditional culture, just like in Japan.I also want you to see how the wrestlers fight in the ring.''

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Prior to the press conference, this morning...