This weekend, the Accor Arena in Paris is hosting the city’s first sumo tournament in more than 30 years. Around 120 people are scheduled to take part in the event, including top-division wrestlers and referees. The Japan Sumo Association last brought the sport to the French capital in 1995. Among those set to feature are the sport’s two active yokozuna, Hoshoryu and Onosato. The pair, who were photographed biting into baguettes in front of the Eiffel Tower, spoke to reporters at a press conference in Paris on Thursday.

“I will psyche myself up to show people in France how great sumo is,” said Hoshoryu, who withdrew from the May grand tournament on the first day after injuring his right leg. He added that his injury has almost healed following a daily treatment program. Onosato, who missed the May tournament due to a shoulder injury, said, “There must be many people who have never seen sumo. I hope many first-time spectators will take an interest in sumo and enjoy it at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan arena someday.” 

Sumo Paris Tour Takes Wrestlers to City’s Landmarks

The wrestlers flew to Paris in two batches, with the first group, including Hoshoryu, arriving on Tuesday, followed by the second one, featuring Onosato, on Wednesday. They have spent their free time visiting famous landmarks around Paris, including the Louvre Museum. The scenes in Paris echo those from last year’s successful tour in London, when they performed at the Royal Albert Hall for a five-day tournament. As the first overseas jungyo (regional tour) in 20 years, the London event garnered significant attention.

Wrestlers were spotted all over London, including at the Natural History Museum, shopping at Marks & Spencer, holding the famous trolley in front of Platform 9¾ at King’s Cross Station and squeezing into a red phone box. The event in Paris hasn’t quite drawn the same level of hype, but it remains a significant occasion. Alongside exhibition matches, fans will witness traditional ring-entering ceremonies, top-knot demonstrations and folk-song performances, bringing one of Japan’s oldest sporting traditions back to Paris for the first time in more than three decades.

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