THE QUEENS OF WRESTLING

Women in the A Sumo Ring!?

Perhaps, one of the most popular form of female entertaining wrestling is wrestling in various liquid and sticky substances, such as water, oil, mud, jelly, foam (and probably more). Some advantages of such styles can be noticed. First, shining wet bodies look even more attractive. Then, lubrication reduces frictions of contestants’ bodies. Besides, the mud wrestling helps to hide nudity a bit. Mud or oil wrestling matches are often held in restaurants, in clubs or outdoor. A special “ring” is installed which usually constitutes a small pool or a tub where some substance is placed. Another way – to anoint contestants’ bodies with oil before a match. Sometimes even boxing matches take place in substances. One more popular form of wrestling in liquid substances is various contests in water. A lot of forms exist here. For instance, wrestling in sumo-like style on a small raft installed in the middle of a swimming pool where losers fall (sometimes both contestants). Another case is a “horse battle” in a reservoir where girls are struggling “horseback” sitting on the shoulders of their partners (of either sex) and trying to take their opponents down into the water. Even underwater wrestling exists (with aqualungs and even without them). Female battle in reservoir is a popular subject in movies. On a DWW festival two girls engaged in impressive wrestling match in a small pond. In our opinion the shot of the match is one of the best among photographs devoted to women and sports. It’s easy to wrestle in water; it’s an excellent shock absorber, and it makes wrestling softer and pleasant. To complete the picture we can also consider wrestling in sand, which is a popular fun frequently represented in movies.

ARE THESE FEMALE WRESTLERS REALLY TOUGH?
CAN THEY BEAT A MAN?

Photo: Professional wrestling superstar, Jackie.

In a heart beat. The London Telegraph reported that two crouching sumo wrestlers lunge towards each other in a frenzy of flailing hands and slapping flesh. Grunts fill the air as the opponents collide. Less than a minute later, it is all over. The loser, a 120-kilogram mountain of muscle and fat, lies flat on his back, felled by a hip throw. The winner, 54-kilogram Chantal Freebury, bows low to her fallen rival. This dojo, or sumo ring, is in Derby in the English Midlands, and Freebury is not a typical sumo wrestler. Sumo has been a male-only martial art since it began in Japan 1300 years ago. No longer. Despite protests from purists, there are a slew of women-only international sumo contests and a female world champion. According to the International Sumo Federation, which oversees women's sumo, female wrestlers are now represented in 17 countries. At the headquarters of the British Sumo Federation, Freebury is dwarfed by her sparring partner. Like male wrestlers, she wears the traditional seven-metre-long mawashi loincloth. Hers, however, is tied over a demure black leotard. "I started doing sumo because I wanted to get in shape in a fun and exciting way," says Freebury, who trains with other female sumo enthusiasts in the area. "I have actually lost weight since I started learning sumo three years ago. It has really toned up my muscles." Steve Pateman, the sumo master who has coached Freebury for the past three years, says the sport is suited to women. "It is not just about brute force," he says. "Anyone can win through technique and guile."

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