Watching the Osaka Sumo Tournament right now...here's something that might surprise you.

[Bonobo]

Sumo is more than a sport. It has a quasi religious symbolic significance and deep history in Japan going back hundreds of years. It is a deeply important part of Japanese culture and Shinto.

The top rank of Sumo, the Yokozuna, or Grand Champion is ultra important in this. They wear a sacred belt, have a sword of their own that is carried into the ring as they do their daily ritual opening the tournament, etc.

But here is what might surprise you: That the country that many people say is so xenophobic and foreigner-hating...well both Yokozuna ARE foreigners and there might be a third one on the way. In fact in the last 20 years or so, 5 of the last 7 Yokuzuna have been foreigners.

Below: Akebono (US), Musashimaru (US), Asashoryu (Mongolia), Harumafuji (Mongolia) and finally, the greatest Yokozuna I have seen in my 30 years of watching sumo, Hakuho (Mongolia)
　

[Kablooie]

1. I remember Takamiyama from Hawaii being popular when I lived in Japan.

He was never a top sumo but was popular in commercials because he was American.

Soon after Konishiki, who was huge and also from Hawaii, took the stage and nearly became a full Yokozuna.

I used to like Chiyonofuji though. He was Japanese but not that big. He looked like a meaty, regular guy but could take down all the giant heavyweights with his skill.

This was a long time ago so I'm sure they are all forgotten by now.