Sumo Most sumo stables facing recruitment issues

On the amateur circuit, domestic tournaments such as the Hakuho Cup and the Dream Girls Cup have generated significant publicity for youth sumo, while there are more opportunities than ever before for wrestlers of all ages and genders around the world to participate in the sport. Against that backdrop however came the surprising news on Feb. 28 that just 27 young hopefuls took part in the Japan Sumo Association tests for new recruits. Coinciding with the end of the academic year, the March tournament traditionally sees the largest intake of wrestlers among sumo's six yearly meets, with an all-time high reached in 1992 when the first Mongolians to join sumo were part of a 160-strong class of new recruits. 2024, by contrast, sees the lowest number of prospects to turn pro at the spring tournament since 1973 — when the completion of compulsory education became a prerequisite. With the previous low being last year's 33 entrants, the current downward trend has to be of major concern for the JSA, particularly at a time when the sport's popularity is growing.

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