MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- Marines and sailors aboard the station suited up for Sumo Basho, the fourth event of the Commander’s Cup Challenge, held at the IronWorks Gym here April 16.
Sumo Basho is exactly what it sounds like; it’s sumo wrestling. Marines and sailors from different units put together teams to wear sumo wrestling fat suits and pound it out to be named champs.
“It’s basically to have fun,” said Barbara Roman, fitness coordinator for Marine Corps Community Services.
Robert M. Casey Medical and Dental Clinic sailors came out ready to win and designated themselves the team to beat after last year’s victory.
Before any matches took place, Marines and sailors had to battle with the suits just to get them on.
“It was difficult,” said Keith Paley, competitor with Marine Wing Support Squadron 171. “It weighed you down a lot so it was definitely fun.”
Once suited up, the competitors would waddle their way to the mat and do whatever form of intimidation they could think of to get any edge over their opponent.
Once the stare down was complete, a whistle began the match and the two competitors would awkwardly throw themselves into each other to push the other out-of-bounds.
Teams that competed last year seemed to have an edge on others as they used certain strategies learned from their previous matches.
“The lower you are to the ground the better chance you have of winning,” said Matthew Lundt, competitor with MWSS-171.
There was a circle on the mat to distinguish the out-of-bounds area; a competitor was allowed to step on the line but not over it or he/she would lose.
Each team was composed of three competitors with each competitor having one chance to beat down the competition.
Once all three teammates wrestled, the judges would tally the score up and see who went on and who went home.
Six teams showed up to bash bellies and swap sweat; Combat Logistics Company 36, Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 12, Marine Aircraft Group 12, MWSS-171, BHC, and station operations.
The BHC fell short of last year’s glorious run, taking second place and earning 27 points toward the Commander’s Cup just ahead of operations, which earned 25 points. Both fell short of MWSS-171, which took first and earned 30 points.
All other teams participating earned 20 points. For more information on upcoming Commander’s Cup events, contact MCCS’ Semper Fit Division at 253-5225.