What Do Sumo Wrestlers Wear: From Tournaments to Training

Sumo wrestlers stand out – not just for their size and power, but for their unique clothing and hairstyles. Unlike most sports, where uniforms change with the times, sumo attire is steeped in tradition, hierarchy, and ritual.

Every piece of clothing reflects a wrestler’s rank, from the simple cotton yukata of junior wrestlers to the ceremonial keshō-mawashi of top-ranked sekitori. Even hairstyles and footwear are strictly regulated, maintaining sumo’s centuries-old customs.

Ever wondered what do sumo wrestlers wear and why? In this guide, we break down what sumo wrestlers wear – inside the ring, in training, and in daily life – plus the traditions behind each piece.

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What Do Sumo Wrestlers Wear in the Ring? The Mawashi Explained

A sumo wrestler’s most iconic and essential piece of clothing is a mawashi, a thick piece of cotton or silk wrapped tightly around the groin and waist and tightly secured at the back.

The mawashi (廻し) isn’t just clothing—it’s the foundation of sumo itself. Wrestlers train, fight, and compete in this thick loincloth, making it the single most essential piece of sumo attire.

It’s essential to the sport. You can practice sumo without a ring but not without a mawashi. The mawashi we know today dates back to the late 18th century.

DID YOU KNOW: Mawashi are never washed in a machine. Instead, they’re spot-cleaned or air-dried. If they start smelling too strong, they’re replaced altogether.

Mawashi for Lower-Ranked Wrestlers

Lower-level wrestlers wear a black cotton mawashi in both practice and competitions. The mawashi material is about 45-50 cm wide, and five to six metres long (depending on the wrestler’s girth). It’s lighter, thinner, more flexible and easier to grip than the mawashi worn by the highest ranks. A cotton mawashi costs about ¥ 1,000 (or about US$ 7).

The lower-ranked wrestlers put the mawashi on themselves, but might have some help tying off the mawashi at the end. To put the mawashi on, they straddle the fabric, then turn around like twirling spaghetti on a fork.

What are Sagari

Sagari are the stiff cords tucked into a wrestler’s mawashi before a match. They aren’t just for decoration – these cords mark the only part of the mawashi that can’t be grabbed and are a nod to sumo’s history, symbolizing the sacred ropes found at Shinto shrines.

In competition, an uneven number of segari is worn, marking the only part of the mawashi that cannot be grabbed. Lower-ranked wrestlers wear loose, fabric segari, while sekitori wear stiffened silk segari that hang like skewers.

INTERESTING FACT: Wrestlers sometimes tuck other things into the folds of the mawashi, such as lucky charms or protective amulets.

Mawashi for the Sekitori (The Two Highest Sumo Ranks)

Sekitori – wrestlers in the top two divisions (jūryō and makuuchi) – wear a distinct type of mawashi that sets them apart from lower-ranked competitors.

Training Mawashi

During practice, sekitori wear a white cotton mawashi, symbolizing their elevated rank. Though similar in function to the black cotton mawashi worn by lower-ranked wrestlers, its color reflects their elite status.

Silk Shimekomi: The Battle Mawashi

For competitions, sekitori wear a shimekomi, a heavier, more rigid mawashi made from silk. Unlike the lighter cotton version, the shimekomi is:

• Wider – Approximately 80 cm (31.5 inches)
• Heavier – Weighing up to 4.5 kg (10 pounds)
• Longer – Ranging from 8 to 11 meters (26 to 36 feet)
• Stiffened – Making it more resistant to gripping attempts

These shimekomi come in various colors, often chosen based on personal preference or stable traditions. The cost of a single silk mawashi can exceed ¥1,000,000 (US$7,000), emphasizing the prestige and investment associated with sumo’s top ranks.

The Role of Attendants in Securing the Mawashi

Unlike lower-ranked wrestlers, sekitori don’t have to struggle with tying their own mawashi. Junior wrestlers from their stable take care of it, making sure it’s wrapped securely and positioned just right for the match.

Strategic Mawashi Tightness: Offense vs. Defense

The way a wrestler chooses to secure their mawashi is a key part of their strategy:

• Loosely Wrapped – Harder for an opponent to grip, making throws more difficult, but risks shifting during the match.
• Tightly Wrapped – Provides stability and control, allowing for better grip-based techniques, but also makes it easier for an opponent to establish a strong hold.

Each wrestler makes this decision based on their preferred fighting style, balancing mobility, grip control, and defensive resilience.

The Keshō-Mawashi

In modern sumo, the keshō-mawashi are only worn by wrestlers from the top two ranks during the special ring-entering ceremonies (known as dohyō-iri). They are elaborate silk aprons, that can feature intricate designs.

Sumo wrestlers’ kesho-mawashi often feature bold, personal designs tied to culture, sponsorship, or identity. Some embrace pop culture, like Takayasu’s Charlie Chaplin motif or Chiyotairyu’s Kinnikuman manga tribute. Others highlight regional pride, such as Sadanoumi’s Kumamon mascot. Wrestlers like Baruto and Endo use self-caricatures or kabuki-inspired patterns, while Terunofuji blends modern abstract art with tradition. These elaborate aprons add a striking visual element to sumo’s rituals. For a closer look at some of the most distinctive designs, check out this collection of kesho-mawashi.

Each kesho-mawashi can cost millions of yen and is often gifted to the wrestler by sponsors, supporters, or their sumo stable.

Dress Code Outside the Ring: Sumo’s Strict Hierarchy

Sumo’s traditions extend far beyond the ring – wrestlers must adhere to a strict dress code when they are in a formal or official setting, and there are clear distinctions based on rank. Their attire reflects not just tradition but also status within the sumo hierarchy.

Outside of these official situations, especially around their stables or while running personal errands – wrestlers often opt for casual Western-style clothing such as T-shirts, shorts, or sweatpants. Larger sizes can be tough to find, so practicality and comfort frequently win out. It’s a stark contrast that underscores the balance between preserving centuries-old customs in public and enjoying everyday convenience in private.

The Japan Sumo Association and stablemasters require wrestlers to wear traditional clothing (like yukata or kimono) whenever they travel for tournaments, appear at official events, or otherwise represent their stable in public. This helps uphold sumo traditions and fosters a consistent image of the sport.

Lower-Ranked Wrestlers: Simple and Functional Attire

For official or formal situations, no matter the season, lower-ranked wrestlers stick to the same outfit: a simple cotton yukata. Summer or winter, that’s the dress code—no exceptions. This is tied with a casual sash called a chirimen. Even in winter, they are not permitted to wear coats or scarves, reinforcing the discipline and hierarchy of sumo.

For footwear, they must wear geta – traditional wooden sandals with elevated soles. The clacking sound of geta on the pavement is often associated with lower-ranked sumo wrestlers walking through Tokyo’s sumo district.

Middle-Ranked Wrestlers: A Step Up in Comfort

Wrestlers in the sandanme and makushita divisions have slightly more privileges. They are allowed to wear a short overcoat (haori) over their yukata, offering some protection from the cold. Their footwear options also expand—alongside geta, they may wear seta, a more comfortable traditional sandal.

Additionally, makushita wrestlers can wear tabi socks with their seta and may use a more formal hakataori sash, signaling their proximity to sumo’s elite ranks.

Sekitori: The Privileges of the Top Ranks

The highest-ranked wrestlers—jūryō and makuuchi (sekitori)—enjoy the most freedom in what they wear. Instead of cotton yukata, they can wear luxurious silk robes, often featuring intricate patterns and personalized designs. These robes highlight their elevated status and distinguish them from lower-ranked wrestlers.

While all sumo wrestlers represent the sport in public, a sekitori’s refined attire serves as a visual reminder of their prestige and accomplishments.

The Chonmage: Sumo’s Distinctive Topknot Hairstyle

One of the most recognizable symbols of sumo is the chonmage (丁髷), the traditional topknot hairstyle worn by all wrestlers.

Origins: A Legacy from the Samurai Era

The chonmage dates back to the Edo period (1603–1868) and was originally worn by samurai. In battle, samurai secured their helmets with a folded topknot, ensuring a snug fit. Over time, the hairstyle became a mark of status and discipline, and in sumo, it remains a symbol of tradition and commitment.

Two Styles of Chonmage: Regular vs. Oicho

There are two styles of chonmage, with the design varying based on a wrestler’s rank:

• Standard Chonmage – Worn by all wrestlers during training and by lower-division wrestlers in tournaments. This simpler version resembles a neatly folded ponytail secured on top of the head.
• Oicho (Gingko Leaf) Style – Exclusive to wrestlers in the jūryō and makuuchi divisions during official matches. The topknot is styled into a distinctive fan shape, resembling a ginkgo leaf, giving it a more refined and ceremonial look.

The Role of Tokoyama: Sumo’s Specialized Hairdressers

Sumo wrestlers don’t wake up and do their own hair. That’s a job for tokoyama (床山) -specialist hairdressers trained to craft and maintain the iconic chonmage topknot. These specialists undergo years of training, using a combination of wax, combs, and traditional styling tools to create and preserve the wrestler’s topknot.

Higher-ranked wrestlers receive more elaborate hairstyling, with tokoyama dedicating extra time to perfect their oicho-mage for tournaments and ceremonies.

The Topknot-Cutting Ceremony: A Sumo Wrestler’s Farewell

For a sumo wrestler, the chonmage is more than just a hairstyle—it represents their years of dedication to the sport.

In sumo, retirement isn’t just a handshake and a farewell speech – it’s marked by the cutting of the topknot, a deeply symbolic moment that officially ends a wrestler’s career.

The significance of this moment varies by rank:

• Lower-ranked wrestlers typically have a small, private ceremony at their sumo stable (heya), attended by coaches, stablemates, and close supporters.
• High-ranking wrestlers, especially yokozuna, receive large-scale ceremonies at Ryōgoku Kokugikan, Japan’s premier sumo venue. These events can attract thousands of spectators and often include a farewell match, speeches, and a final ring-entering ceremony (dohyō-iri).

During the ceremony, multiple people—including stablemasters, former rivals, and family members—take turns cutting small sections of the chonmage, with the final snip reserved for the stablemaster. Many wrestlers keep a piece of their topknot as a personal memento of their sumo journey.

Final Thoughts

A sumo wrestler’s outfit isn’t just about looks—it’s a statement of tradition, hierarchy, and discipline. From the battle-ready mawashi to the ceremonial keshō-mawashi, every piece carries a connection to sumo’s long history.

Even off the dohyō, sumo wrestlers carry the weight of their status through strict clothing regulations and carefully maintained hairstyles. Their chonmage topknot is a connection to samurai traditions, while the retirement topknot-cutting ceremony is a powerful moment marking the end of a wrestler’s career.

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