Get Your Sumo On, Philly

We all know Philly is a sports town, so much so that sports couldn't even be left out of our celebration of the Cherry Blossom Festival (3/25-4/10). "But what sport has anything to do with cherry blossoms?" you ask. Well, you've probably already guessed from the picture over there, but...it's the ancient Japanese sport of sumo wrestling, of course! Phillyist has always been fascinated by this ritualized competition of large men trying to push each other out of a ring, so we were excited to hear about the Festival event at the International House, wherein the United States Sumo Federation will explain the sport, give a demonstration, and then invite audience members to come up and try it themselves! The event description says "sumo wrestling isn't just for huge men with good hairstyles and massive thighs and bellies," so we suppose even lightweights, females, and people having a bad hair day can give it a try. Awesome.

The event description also mentions that the United States Sumo Federation hopes to make Sumo Wrestling an Olympic competition. We hope they succeed. Then we'd actually have a reason to watch the Olympics the next time around. Plus, if you come down to the I-House and try out tonight, maybe you'll make the team for 2008!

Sumo Wrestling Challenge
International House (3701 Chestnut)
Tonight, 7PM & 8:30PM
$12 ($10 students, seniors, members; $7 children)
Buy online, or at the box office 2 hours before showtime

Image Credit: philg, via Photo.net