IWAKUNI, Japan -- The cloudy sky and raindrops falling were not enough to keep the children from laughing and smiling while participating in the Iwakuni Fall Festival Sumo-Wrestling Tournament.
More than 25 children arrived at Marifu Children's Park in downtown Iwakuni to participate in this year's annual children sumo tournament, Oct. 15.
"We put on this tournament every year before the Iwakuni festival to promote commercial business in Iwakuni and give children a chance to have fun," said Toshiyuki Fujimura, festival event planner and Iwakuni native.
The tournament began with an exhibition match, where an even amount of children regardless of age were put on both sides of the wrestling circle, waiting to discover who will reign supreme.
The younger sumo wrestlers didn't stand a chance against the towering, more experienced champion who laid waste to every opponent, ending the exhibition.
"Seiji Katsura is the Yamaguchi champion, he has won this event for the past two years," said Watanabe Goro, wrestling spectator and Iwakuni native.
With the exhibition over and Katsura confident he would win the main event, the games began.
"Sumo wrestling is really fun because you get to wrestle with other opponents to find out who is better," said Katsura, 12-year old child sumo wrestler and Kuga town native.
As the event rolled on, it was clear to see that even little girls had the skill to compete with the boys. Mai Murabayashi, 6, competing in the first grade class, easily pushed and shoved every boy she faced around the ring with a smile on her face as she ducked and squirmed away trying to make them fall or step out of bounds.
As the games began to wind down, one child stood out among the rest; Sidney S. Stephens, a 5th grade Matthew C. Perry Elementary School student and the only child from Station. He pushed and shoved trying to maneuver around the Japanese wrestlers but was always just one step away from victory.
"I'm pretty good at sumo, but I have only been playing for like a month, I still lose sometimes," said Stephens.
Although Stephens didn't place in the tournament he wasn't discouraged because he knew there would be other days to show his prowess.
"Last Sunday I beat a whole bunch of people," he said.
The 6th grade class competition was over before anyone knew what happened. Katsura dominated once again as each opponent was pushed out of bounds before they knew their feet were even moving.
"I don't do anything special to be this good, all I do is squatting exercises," said Katsura.
The tournament ended with a closing ceremony, where children from each grade received 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize medals. As anticipated, the sumo champion trophy went to Katsura for the third year in a row.
"I hope to continue competing in high school because sumo wrestling is really fun," said Katsura.
Although the tournament mainly consisted of Japanese children, Station children are allowed to take part in this enjoyable sport as well.
"Children on base are allowed to come out and participate, but should take sumo lessons in Iwakuni for more information," said Fujimura. "Kids can even come by before the event and just ask to participate."
Parents who would like their children to experience this Japanese past time can sign up at the Iwakuni city gym on Sunday from 9 to 11 a.m. The cost for lessons is 1,500 yen for one year and the classes are given once a week on Sunday between the months of May and October. For more information, call Mr. Matsumoto at 99-32-4873.