From Matangi Tonga Magazine, Vol. 16, no. 1, June 2001.

The 6th Oceania Sumo Championship on June 1 brought a team of Japanese wrestlers to Tonga, meeting over 20 Tongan wrestlers in the event at the Queen Salote Hall in Nuku‘alofa.

The clash of giants was attended by King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV who enjoyed the event and presented awards to the winners. Tongans took all the medals and the Japanese from outside Oceania, were guest wrestlers.

Naoko Afeaki, the secretary of the Tonga Sumo Federation, said that although New Zealand, Australia, and Fiji were unable to attend it was an exciting event. A Tongan professional wrestler in Japan Minaminoshima Falevai provided the Minami Award of 10,0000 Yen in special cash prizes to encourage the participants and to foster the development of Sumo.

“Tonga Sumo was also lucky to receive a Japanese volunteer coach, Teruya Miyazaki introducing the sport to different schools, and conducting special training before the event, ” she said.

“We will be sending our national junior representatives in August to Japan to participate in the 3rd World Junior Sumo Championship, and the Seniors to the 10th World Sumo Championship in October in Japan.’