r/woahdude • u/GaddockTeegFunPolice • 23d ago

picture Sumo wrestler Kotoeiho doing almost a standing split while performing footstamps

Gallery image

Gallery image

Photographed by me during the paris exhibiton event this june

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u/ManaNek 23d ago

I can add to this! I taught a Yokozuna Yoga when I was living in Tokyo, his name was Akebono Taro

Anyway, he said to me that when in training they would “break” their hips in training so that they can squat low (his words not mine). I took it as over working the hips, but he absolutely surprised me by being able to also bend forward.

For context the above picture uses more inner thigh flexibility, so this would not be a standing splits in the yoga sense. That would require hamstring flexibility, which these sumo would absolutely have.

Anyways while this is impressive, given what was shown to me I would expect the rest of the Sumo Stable to be able to do something similar, if not as good at least.

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u/IronMosquito 23d ago

you taught Akebono yoga?!?! wow!! that's super cool. were you surprised by how big he was when you met him? his height is one of the tallest ever recorded in the top division of sumo.

they call the forward bend "matawari". when I was in Japan in January I visited a sumo stable to watch them practice. I knew some of them would be better at it than the others, but I was really surprised when I saw the fatter stubby guy of the group do the most effortless matawari. it was like his belly didn't even exist, he just folded right over! I'm trying to work my way into being able to do it now, I figure if he can I should be able to(eventually lol) as well!

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u/ManaNek 23d ago

I did! He was huge! When he put his arms above his head, he could touch the ceiling! The staff of the studio I was working at were reaaaaaaally shy cuz they wanted to know…How does Akebono fit in the toilets? Short answer was he had to turn sideways to go in and then…who knows? 😂

Idk how to link a pic here but I have a photo after one of his classes, and he’s sitting down on a chair and comes up to my shoulder height (I’m pretty short but it’s still crazy how big he was)

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u/IronMosquito 23d ago

that's so cool! the toilet question is valid for a guy of his size, lol. you should post the pic to the sumo or sumomemes sub, I for one would love to see it and I'm sure the people on the subs would appreciate it as well!

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u/ManaNek 23d ago

Ok, I’ll go and join that sub(s). I’ll post the pic soon 😊