National Geographic: Inside Sumo's Ultimate Clash

We meet the highest ranked sumo wrestler, Mongolian Asashoryu. and delve into the hidden culture of this ancient sport. Sumo. More than a sport in Japan, it's a religion. Its history goes back 2000 years, with time-honored Shinto rituals and ceremonies originating from the ancient martial art called "Tegoi". Crashing into this tradition-bound world is Mongolian "outsider" Asashoryu. He's a rule-breaker. A rebel. And much to the chagrin of the sumo-crazy Japanese, he's their reigning champion. To add insult to injury, the Americans are even beefing up to join the sport. And now, for the first time in nearly 15 years, Japanese Grand Sumo is coming to ground zero of the outsider invasion. Hawaii - birthplace to Sumo's first foreign-born grand champion, Akebono. Asashoryu is not any Sumo wrestler. He's the "yokozuna" - or highest ranked. The Muhammad Ali of Sumo. With permission from...

Loading countdown...

The Pink Room

2011

Batatinha, Poeta do Samba

Batatinha, Poeta do Samba

2009

Axolotl

Axolotl

2024

Beyond, ode to the Earth

Beyond, ode to the Earth

2024

From League of Legends to K-Pop Sensations: The K/DA Story

From League of Legends to K-Pop Sensations: The K/DA Story

2021

Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration

Mary Tyler Moore: A Celebration

2015

Augusta

Augusta

1976

Women of Vision

1998

F1 How It Was

F1 How It Was

2016

The Road to Terror

The Road to Terror

1989

Generation Sputnik

Generation Sputnik

2016

Kintaro Walks Japan

2005

Love & Loyalty: The Making of 'The Remains of the Day'

Love & Loyalty: The Making of 'The Remains of the Day'

2001

Un film (autoportrait)

Un film (autoportrait)

1984

Cela s'appelle l'amour

1989

Cristiano, La Quête D'une Vie

Cristiano, La Quête D'une Vie

2022

Mariupolis 2

Mariupolis 2

2022

Plague at the Golden Gate

Plague at the Golden Gate

2022

The Story of the Weeping Camel

The Story of the Weeping Camel

2003

Dogtown and Z-Boys

Dogtown and Z-Boys

2002