Sumo wrestling is more than a bunch of fat lads shoving each other about. Not a whole lot more but more nonetheless.
The traditional martial art of Sumo involves levels of commitment similar to that shown in any other professional sport and that means a strict eating regimen.
World Champion Byambajav Ulambayar is looking to earn his ninth straight win at August’s US Open and the 360 lb behemoth has revealed the eating habits necessary to succeed as rikishi.
Ulambayar told GQ that the elite Sumo wrestlers don’t eat breakfast prior to a training session. Rather they engage in an intense five hour workout on an empty stomach.
After that slog rikishi then tuck into lunch which, for Ulambayar, consists of chanko-nabe which is “a hearty stew that can be made with almost any kinds of vegetables (bok choy, daikon, mushroom, anything you can think of) and protein (chicken, fish, meatballs, tofu) in a dashi broth.”
While there are many inaccurate reports about the daily caloric intake of Sumo wrestlers reaching 10,000 calories, it’s actually far less with Ulambayar taking in 4,000 calories every day (less than twice as much as is recommended for adult males but nowhere near as crazy as 10,000).
Lunch
Chanko-nabe (made from broth, mirin, sake and soy sauce) with meatballs, tofu, bok choy, cabbage, carrots, green onions, gobo, and mushroom
Rice
Dinner
Fried mackerel
Udon noodles
Salad
