US President Donald Trump on Sunday awarded a trophy to the winner of a sumo wrestling final in the Japanese capital during a four-day visit to the Asian nation.
With the help of an official, Trump handed the 30-kilo,eagle-topped and specially-named US President’s Cup to a victorious Asanoyama,a 25-year-old competitor who until now had been relatively unknown in thesport.
The presentation took place in the “dohyo,” the namegiven to the centre of the wrestling arena in the venerated Japanese sport.
The event was the subject of great media attention in Japanas it is unusual for an official representative of the US to take part in sucha spectacle.
Trump eschewed the tradition of sitting cross-legged on acushion in favor of a low-backed seat in the stalls along with First LadyMelania Trump, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his wife Akie Abe.
The match took place at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena, thecountry’s foremost sumo wrestling stadium. Following the bout, Asanoyama – realname Hiroki Ishibashi – said he was lost for words with pride for havingreceived the trophy from Trump.
From the dohyo, Trump also gave the victor a certificate andpraised the wrestler for his “outstanding achievement” in thetournament. Asanoyama notched 12 wins and only 2 losses. Other foreign heads of state who have watchedsumo matches in Japan include former French President Jacques Chirac, whohanded the winner of the tournament the Chirac Cup.
Trump arrived in Japan on Saturday and is scheduled to leaveon Tuesday. Earlier in the day, he held his first informaltalks with the Japanese prime minister during a round of golf in southwestTokyo.