Sumo
Sumo is a traditional form of wrestling from Japan, in which two wrestlers must try to either push or throw one another outside of the ring, or force one another to the ground, in order to win. The very nature of the sport means that often sumo bouts last only a few seconds! Its origins can be traced back over a thousand years ago, where it was initially perfomed as a ritual for the gods. Due to its close connection to Shinto, you can still see many of these religious rituals and traditions even today in modern sumo tournaments.
In this lesson, pupils will gain a better understanding of what sumo is, as well as its history, traditions and rituals, and also what an average day in the life of a sumo wrestler looks like!
Download all lesson resources for Key Stage 2 (Zip File 41.7 MB) or Key Stage 3 (41.9 MB), or see below for the individual resources.
Please note that the PowerPoint Presentation is in Read-Only format, which will allow you to present the slideshow but not edit. For teachers who need editable version of any of the presentations for their classroom teaching, please contact us at education@japansociety.org.uk.
Key Stage 2 Resources
Learning Objectives
- To learn and understand what sumo is.
- To recognise the significance of sumo as a sport.
Lesson Duration: 50 minutes - 1 hour 10 minutes
Lesson Materials
Activities and Worksheets
- Fill-in-the-Blanks worksheet - PDF (313 KB)
- Day in the Life of a Sumo Wrestler - Manga Template - PDF (213 KB)
- Sumo Wrestler Training Guide - PDF (resource coming soon!)
Key Stage 3 Resources
Learning Objective
- To be able to understand and recognise the significance of sumo, its history, and its traditions.
Lesson Duration: 50 minutes - 1 hour 10 minutes
Lesson Materials
Activities and Worksheets