Sumo isn’t just about size: Aussie wrestlers embrace tradition and take on the Oceania Championship

Left：President of Australian Sumo Federation John Traill with his family, junior champion Charile, daughter Natalie and wife, Miho. Top right: Former pro-sumo wrestler, Minaminoshima. Middle Right: Giselle Shaw with Japanese athlete in Japan. Bottom right: Wrestlers gather at the Traill's residence for weekly training. Credit: SBS

SBS Japanese

View Podcast Series

Get the SBS Audio app

Other ways to listen

Ahead of the Oceania Sumo Championship to be held in Sydney on April 27, we spoke with participating wrestlers and others involved in the sport. Among them were the family of the president of the Australian Sumo Federation, a former professional sumo wrestler, and a 19-year-old female wrestler — each sharing their unique story and passion for sumo.

LISTEN TO

Sumo isn’t just about size: Aussie wrestlers embrace tradition and take on the Oceania Championship

SBS Japanese

22/04/202511:10

Year 12 student Charlie Traill is hoping to defend his junior champion title in the upcoming Oceania Sumo Championships. Credit: Yumi Oba

Giselle Shaw spent 2024 in Japan as an exchange student, training and competing in University sumo club. Credit: Supplied/Giselle Shaw

Minaminoshima training the wrestlers ahead of the Oceania Championships (left), Minaminoshima during this Grand Sumo era (right). Credit: Yumi Oba (left) Supplied/Minaminoshima (right)

Listen to SBS Japanese Audio on Tue, Thu and Fri from 1pm on SBS 3. Replays from 10pm on Tue, Thu and Sat on SBS1. Listen to past stories from our

podcast.

Download the free

SBS Audio App

and don't forget to visit SBS Japanese

Facebook

and

Instagram

page!