A handful of wrestlers – all members of the same, hugely hierarchical sumo stable (heya in Japanese) – prepare for the upcoming tournaments. Hiradoumi (24) is a rising star in the sumo world, who now has to live up to his early successes. Yokozuna Terunofuj is the reigning champion from Mongolia and at 33 is already reaching the end of his physical and mental powers. Kosei (15) has difficulties devouring the enormous mountains of food necessary in order to gain weight. And Yonezawaryu (19) is a promising newcomer who is repeatedly plagued with doubts. Erik Shirai stages his documentary sport drama in gripping, varied fashion: the jarring collisions between the fighters’ heavy bodies in the ring hint at the strength of these renowned martial artists, while repeated moments of reflection emerge at the same time. Shirai makes no secret of the fact that these sumōtori subject themselves to physical strains that may well end up drastically shortening their lives – severe injuries are hardly seldom, diabetes and other diseases the norm. On the other hand, “Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing” also emphasises the sensual, sometimes even spiritual side of the discipline. Maybe this will also prove to be an aid: in the ring, every athlete eventually comes face to face with themselves.

Carolin Weidner