ABA Journal The digital English academy
Good morning citizens,
Sumo is such a fascinating sport, don’t you think? The huge men, the tiny clothes, the rituals… To watch a bit more of this interesting clash of giants, keep scrolling down!
1. Read the text
2. Understand the vocabulary
3. Watch the news!
Text
Japan’s top sumo wrestlers usher in the New Year with a traditional foot-stomping performance. Braving the cold and rain, the two highest-ranking “Yokozuna,” Hakuho and Harumafuji led the annual ceremony at the Meiji shrine.
Hakuho, who is Mongolian-born, is within grasp of becoming Japan’s greatest sumo wrestler of all time. He weighs 332 pounds and is 6 ft 4 inches tall, slightly larger than Harumafuji, who weighs 293 pounds and is 6 ft 1. Despite their size, the ritual went ahead without a hitch.
– It started to rain a bit but I still felt really good and ready for the year ahead. There was a point I thought I’d slip over though.
Hundreds of fans turned out to see the rivals show off their technique. But only one woman walked away with a rare autograph from Hakuho.
– I’m so happy he signed it. It’s amazing because everyone else wanted one too, but he gave it to me. I’m so lucky.
Sumo, with its roots deep in Japan’s indigenous Shinto religion, originally started in shrines or temples as offerings to gods.
Vocabulary
Wrestlers – someone who competes in the sport of wrestling.
Usher in – to celebrate the beginning of (something).
Foot-stomping – to put (your foot) down forcefully and noisily.
Braving – to face or deal with (something dangerous or unpleasant).
Shrine – a place connected with a holy person or event where people go to worship.
Within grasp – the ability to get or find something.
Hitch – a hidden problem that makes something more complicated or difficult to do.
Slip – to lose your balance especially on a slippery surface.
Rivals – a person or thing that tries to defeat or be more successful than another.
Indigenous – produced, living, or existing naturally in a particular region or environment.
