In a rare appearance outside Japan, nine sumo wrestlers are bringing their perfectly knotted buns to compete in Thailand's first professional sumo wrestling competition. The event is being held in honour of His Majesty the King's 84th birthday and to promote ties between the two countries.
But before you try and take on one of these big guys on the streets of Bangkok, you should learn the basics of sumo first.
Origins: The sport originated eight centuries ago when sumo wrestlers performed for the gods during Shinto religious festivals.
How to win: The wrestler who leaves the ring before his opponent or first touches the ground with anything besides the soles of his feet, loses. This could last all of 11 seconds, and occasionally a minute or more.
The sumo diet: Although there are no weight divisions, it's probably time to double your food portions to achieve a desirable body that's thicker than a tree trunk. Start with the staple dish Canko-nabe, a stew of fish, meat, vegetables and noodles in a thick broth washed down with some rice and beer.
The garb: Don a mawashi (those big underpants) and you can call yourself a rikishi (wrestler).
Now that you've got the basics down, here are five sumo moves to use on the next person that insults your mother:
1. Harite: An open-fisted slap to the side of your opponent's face.
2. Hikiwaza: Pulling your opponent down after side-stepping his initial charge.
3. Inashi: A well-timed slap to your opponent's side causing him to fall to the ground.
4. Kakenage: Lifting your opponent's thigh with your leg to put him off balance, while grabbing him with both arms, and throwing him to the ground. Also known as the inner thigh throw hook.
5. Shitatenage: This baby is a winning technique that involves throwing your opponent down by using an inner grip on his mawashi. If you happen to meet someone wearing large panties, this move is perfect!
Or you can just use the Nekodamashi move by clapping in front of your opponent's face to throw them off guard. Then run.G
