Unveiling the Closed World of Sumo

In Japan, sumo is not just a sport; it's almost a religion, with its stars celebrated as demigods. However, it is also a world closed to outside influences, where scandals are immediately covered up, and women are considered impure. Sumo is the only sport in the world where professional athletes live together 24 hours a day, in schools known as "Heyas." Life in a heya is strictly hierarchical, with younger students expected to clean up after the senior ones. It's a quasi-monastic life that leaves no time for girlfriends or other interests. Traditionally, women are considered impure and are banned from entering the sacred sumo dohyo ring. However, this prohibition was taken to extremes in April 2018 when female first-aiders trying to revive a stroke victim who had collapsed in the dohyo were ordered to immediately leave the ring. The event made headlines worldwide, forcing the sumo association to apologize.