Japan's sumo world says "no thanks" to pants
Reuters, Thu Mar 24, 2005 04:40 AM ET
TOKYO -A tussle has broken out in Japan's tradition-bound sumo world over the right to wear pants in the ring..... wrestlers generally compete naked but for a "mawashi", an arrangement of wrapped cloth that preserves a bare minimum of modesty.
Sumo's amateur association hit upon the idea of allowing shy youngsters to wear "sumo pants", a more substantial garment similar to cycling shorts..."The national stadium has its rules and ways of doing things," the paper quoted a Sumo Kyokai spokesman as saying. "We have no intention of allowing children in pants into the ring."...more...
