CentralWorld to Host the first-ever Sumo Wrestling Competition in Thailand (17-18 Feb 2012, Bangkok)
The first-ever Sumo Wrestling Competition in Thailand (17-18 Feb 2012, Bangkok)
CentralWorld Shopping Center in cooperation with the Prime Minister’s Office, the Embassy of Japan and Canon Marketing (Thailand) Ltd., held a press conference to announce the first-ever sumo competition in Thailand, to be held on February 17-18 to commemorate HM the King’s 84th birthday anniversary and to promote Thai-Japanese Cultural Exchange.
Sumo is a Japanese style of wrestling and Japan’s national sport. It originated in ancient times as a performance to entertain the Shinto gods. Nine of Japan’s top sumo wrestlers will fly in to take part in the competition. Top sumo wrestlers Tochiozan, Tochinoshin, Tochinowaka, Kimurayama, Toshinonada and Kasugano Oyakata are scheduled to arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 4 pm on February 16. All the rituals and ceremonies as well as the competition itself will be in accordance with ancient Japanese traditions. The sumo ring, equipment and performers will be brought in directly from Japan in order to maintain the authentic standards of the sport. The next day, the wrestlers will travel to Siriraj Hospital to formally sign their birthday wishes for HM the King.
The event also featured an appearance by top stars and celebrity fans of Japanese culture including actors Jirayu “Kao” Laongmanee and Saran “Porsche” Siriluksana, Nichabul Nakasai, Kunakom Polpanich and Jarospan Svasti Na Ayudhya, and a demonstration of the fundamentals of sumo by young sumo wrestlers.
The event’s official opening will take place in the late afternoon of February 17 with HRH Princess Soamsawali graciously presiding. The opening ceremony and related events will be broadcast live on Modernine TV from 5.30 pm -7.00 pm.
