Women storm the sumo ring

This dojo, or sumo ring, is in England, and Freebury not a typical sumo wrestler. Sumo has been a male only martial art since it first began in Japan 1,300 years ago.No longer. …………?…….. According to the International Sumo Federation, which oversees women's sumo, female wrestlers are now represented in 17 countries.

Despite some protests from traditionalists, there are numerous women only sumo contests and a female world champion.

I started doing sumo because I wanted to get in shape in a fun and exciting way,' says Freebury, who trains with other female sumo enthusiasts in her area. I have actually lost weight since I started learning sumo three years ago. It has really toned up my muúcles…….??……'I can come to a session and get rid of it fighting an opponent,' she says. 'It makes me feel great. I can forget everything when I come to the sumo ring.'

The Japanese art is also a great way to deal with stress.

Sumo master Steve Patemen, who has coached Freebury for the past three years, says the sport is ideally suited to women. 'It is not just about brute force, he says. 'Anyone can win through technique and tactics…….?……Stability is everything in sumo,' he says, 'and women benefit because they tend to have shorter legs so their centre of balance is naturally closer to the ground.'

Women are even at an advantage because of their body shape

The risk of injury is minimal, too, as sumo is one of the more straightforward martial arts. The idea is to push your partner out of a five-metre round ring, or force him, or her to touch the ground with any part of their body other than the soles of their fee….?…. As Pateman says, 'Kick-boxing and

karate are much more violent.'

There are 48 legitimate techniques for doing this, but kicking, punching and hair-pulling are not allowed

Freebury trains twice a week, and each hour-long session starts with a warm-up. The shiko, or leg-stamping exercise, important for developing balance and thigh strength, involves a crab-like movement where each bent leg is raised in turn and stamped back down on the floor. But collision training is the most demanding.

This involves charging and pushing another wrestler across the ring until both parties are red-faced and sweating.

According to Patemen, 90 per cent of a sumo contest has been won before it begins…….?…….

He encourages Freebury to adopt a frightening manner, and smiling is forbidden. Freebury says she feels mentally stronger since taking up sumo.

'You learn to give an impression of strength,' she says.

Physical preparation is important but psychological toughness is key to winning sumo contests.

Freebury clearly loves doing her spor…..?…… Freebuary is not convinced. 'A lot of girls would like it if they gave it a try, but they are put off by the look of it,' she says.

So what is the likelihood of it becoming popular among women