Sumo wrestling is coming — well almost coming — to the Tokyo Olympics.
Knowing it may have the world's attention, the Japan Sumo Association and local Olympic organizers are planning a sumo tournament on Aug. 12-13, just days after the Olympics end.
The event was announced on Tuesday and is designed to bring more attention to the traditional Japanese sport. It will be part of a local cultural festival and will take place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena in east Tokyo — the spiritual home of the sport.
FILE - In this Oct. 18, 2019, file photo, sumo wrestlers push during training at the Musashigawa Sumo Stable at Beppu, Japan. Sumo wrestling is going to get some extra attention because of the Tokyo Olympics. The Japan Sumo Association and local Olympic organizers are planning a sumo tournament on Aug. 12-13, just days after the Olympics end. (AP PhotoAaron Favila, File)
Event organizers say the tournament will give visitors from overseas an opportunity to watch the sport. The venue is the same one in Tokyo attended by U.S. President Donald Trump last year.
The roots of sumo can be traced back to the Shinto ritual for a good harvest in the 8th century. It later was used as martial arts training for samurais before becoming entertainment for ordinary people during the Edo period — 1603 to 1868.
The Edo period brought the introduction of stylized rules including the art of entering the ring, the use of loin cloths, topknots and kimonos, as well as fighting regulations.
FILE - In this May 26, 2019, file photo, people wait for the arrival of U.S. President Donald Trump outside the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena in Tokyo. Sumo wrestling is going to get some extra attention because of the Tokyo Olympics. The Japan Sumo Association and local Olympic organizers are planning a sumo tournament on Aug. 12-13, just days after the Olympics end. (AP PhotoJae C. Hong, File)
Sumo rituals are some of the most traditional in Japan, and the sport is highly cloistered and mostly closed to outsiders.
The yokozuna — the highest rank of sumo wrestler, or grand champion — has a special place in the customs.
Unlike other athletes, sumo wrestlers are considered living performers of a cultural tradition and are expected to be role models. This is especially true of the yokozuna.
Only men can become professional sumo wrestlers. Under sumo’s Shinto tradition, women are considered unclean and are not allowed to enter the ring.
In 2018 a sumo referee blocked women who went up to the fighting ring to provide first aid for a mayor who collapsed in the ring while making a speech at a sumo event in Kyoto. It triggered criticism that sumo officials were prioritizing their gender-biased tradition over someone’s life.
Based on Shinto belief, the elevated dirt ring, or “dohyo,” is considered sacred. Before every tournament, Shinto priests perform rituals to pacify the gods by pouring rice, sake and other offerings into a little hole in the center of the ring.
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Tokyo correspondent Mari Yamaguchi contributed to this report.
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Brock Purdy threw a go-ahead 6-yard touchdown pass to Christian McCaffrey late in the fourth quarter, San Francisco used a trick play on a TD toss from wide receiver Jauan Jennings, and the 49ers eliminated the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles with a 23-19 wild-card victory Sunday.
The 49ers head to top-seeded Seattle next weekend for an NFC divisional playoff game. The NFC West rivals split the season series.
Purdy threw for 262 yards and got the road win in Philadelphia he failed to get three seasons ago when he was injured in a dismal outing in Philadelphia in a loss in the NFC title game.
Purdy had two passes intercepted in this one by All-Pro cornerback Quinyon Mitchell, but the Eagles scored just three points off the turnovers.
The 49ers could head to Seattle without star tight end George Kittle, who was carted off the field with a right Achilles tendon injury late in the first half.
The Eagles — who won a Super Bowl on a trick play — were foiled by one when Jennings was pitched the ball and rolled right and hit McCaffrey on a 29-yard touchdown. The score on the first play of the fourth quarter gave the 49ers a 17-16 lead.
Jennings had 66 yards receiving and 48 rushing in addition to his TD pass.
The Eagles would only get Jake Elliott's 33-yard field goal in the quarter for a brief 19-17 lead.
Philadelphia was again doomed by a lethargic offensive effort under embattled offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo that cost it a shot at a repeat championship. Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts threw for only 168 yards and a touchdown and the Eagles failed to build off a 13-10 halftime lead by totaling only 36 total yards in the third quarter on 16 plays.
Hurts was incomplete on a last-gasp fourth-and-11 attempt with 43 seconds left that ended their final drive.
The game never reached its offensive slugfest potential after the teams traded touchdowns on their opening drives.
Purdy, rendered ineffective by a torn ligament in his right elbow on the opening drive against the Eagles in a disastrous NFC title game loss three seasons ago, completed all three passes for 74 yards and capped the drive with a 2-yard touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson. Robinson had 111 yards receiving.
The Eagles tied it on a 1-yard sweep by Dallas Goedert, their red zone go-to ace with 11 TD receptions who became the first tight end to rush for a score in NFL postseason history.
The Eagles turned again to Goedert on fourth down when Hurts hit him for a 9-yard TD that made it 13-7.
Eddy Pineiro kicked a 36-yarder for the 49ers that cut it to 13-10 at halftime.
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Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter (98) tries to stop San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell (27) intercepts a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers tight end Jake Tonges (88) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) reacts to a touchdown pass to 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown (11) is unable to make the catch as San Francisco 49ers cornerback Deommodore Lenoir (2) defends during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) reacts to a touchdown pass to 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)
