Meet the Japanese woman breaking into the male dominated sport of Sumo | Foreign Correspondent

(CHEERING) These athletes have come from across the world seeking glory in Japan's most iconic sport, sumo. This is the most important tournament of the year for amateur female wrestlers. The winner will be crowned world champion. This is the one. This is the world championship, and you've got a lot of huge names on the list. And the fans are focused on two heavyweight champions. Hometown favourite Hiyori Kon. Ready to be hero. (LAUGHS) Her main rival is Ukrainian Ivanna Berezovska. At 6'1", she towers over Hiyori. Size isn't her only advantage. Ukrainian female sumo can get government financial support. Japanese women don't. In sumo, it's all about the men. These female sumo are determined to change old attitudes. They're pushing for respect and even the chance to go pro. It's a huge challenge, but they're up for the fight. One of the world's greatest metropolises, Greater Tokyo is home to over 37 million people. Amidst the hustle and bustle of this modern city, a deep connection to the past remains... ..where ancient culture and tradition blend seamlessly with the future. It's a Saturday afternoon, and kids at the Oto Arashi sumo club are being put through their paces. (COACH SHOUTS) (SHOUTS) (SHOUTS) Today they've got a trailblazing guest. Hiyori Kon is a legend to these kids. Hiyori started sumo when she was only six. After winning the Junior World Sumo Championships twice, Hiyori won silver as an adult in 2018 and '19 before the pandemic put a hold to her success. Studying Hiyori's moves is 10-year-old Kanano Suzuki. Her family's behind her all the way. There's a lot of enthusiasm in this ring and you can see the kids are really giving it their all. But the reality is clubs like this one are really few and far between. Girls aren't always welcome. After a busy weekend, Hiyori's back home. Sumo may be her passion, but it doesn't earn an income. Her only time to train is before sunrise. She then goes to her office job. It sounds exhausting - having a career and having to train and compete at sumo. Mmm. Hiyori's work has a corporate sumo club, but it was for men only. Hiyori convinced them to change that and became the first woman to join their ranks. Despite her success, Hiyori's feeling pressured to give it all up, find a husband, and have a family. It's an experience many women here face. Japan regularly performs poorly on issues of gender equality. On the northern tip of Japan's main island, Honshu, is Aomori Prefecture. It's renowned for its natural beauty. It's also famous for producing more sumo champions than any other prefecture. Rio Hasegawa is a rising star of the sport. Rio was born into a sumo-loving family. She followed her brothers to train at the local club. But her dad was the biggest driving force. He died when Rio was just 15. Rhea moved to Tokyo, some 600km away, for university. Her style is a break from the traditional sumo look of black hair, and it gets a lot of attention. Keio University is one of the most prestigious in Japan. It's never had a woman at its sumo club in its 100-year history, until Rio pushed the door open. Do you see yourself as a pioneer for women's sumo? With no professional competition for women, Rio knows she'll probably have to give it all up after university. On the southern island of Kyushu lies the regional city of Oita. Today, it's hosting the Jungyo, a professional sumo promotional tour. The only women here are spectators. So, got my press pass, my shoes are off - let's go watch some sumo. (APPLAUSE) While amateur sumo involves men and women, professional sumo, known as ozumo, is for men only. So, this is actually my first time seeing professional sumo, and I must say it's quite exciting. Sumimasen. Selfie onegaishimasu? OK. OK. (CAMERA CLICKS) Oh, perfect. OK. Arigato gozaimasu. Sumo has deep roots in Japanese culture, said to date some 1,500 years. It outlasted the samurai. But the sport we know today emerged after the defeat of Imperial Japan in the Second World War. These events, even if just a bit of fun, are designed to attract new audiences. But such a highly traditional sport is struggling to get young people to sign up. (MEN CHANT) The world of sumo is famously secretive, much of it off limits to outsiders or the media. But I've been granted a rare opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes. (MEN CHANT) Ikazuchi stable is run by husband and wife combo stablemaster Toru Kakizoe and the manager Emi Kakizoe. (CALLS INSTRUCTIONS) The pair met 24 years ago when Emi was competing in high school sumo competitions. Emi and her husband are determined to make it a more friendly place. After training, it's time to eat. There's a lot going on in this kitchen. We've got eggs that have just been cooked. These guys are washing the dishes. Beef simmering away. Plenty of, uh, leafy greens, cabbage, spring onion. It's all hands on deck. To protect sumo's distinct Japanese culture, the governing Sumo Association introduced a rule. Each stable is strictly allowed no more than one foreign wrestler. They've adopted 27-year-old Ukrainian Shi-Shi. So, um, they're your family? So, this is chanko nabe? Chanko nabe. The famous sumo meal. One ancient rule is non-negotiable. While foreign men are welcome in the ring, Japanese women are not. In one infamous case, the rule was enforced even when it was a matter of life and death. In 2018, there was major controversy. A local mayor collapsed inside the sumo ring and women rushed to his aid. But the referee ordered them to leave. It is a centuries-old sport with an appearance that's based on some centuries-old thinking. Australian Murray Johnson is the international voice of sumo. Well, this is the home of sumo, where you've seen some dynamic sumo matches over the year. He's been commentating the sport for 30 years. During that time, he's seen the governing Sumo Association refuse to reform. Is there a reluctance in sumo to evolve? Is it too focused on the past? Too focused on Japan? Too focused on men? Yes. (CHUCKLES) Unfortunately, yes. It's basically they don't want to lose their identity, because it is a Japanese sport. You know, it was once called the national sport. But I think it will eventually change, but I don't think I'll be alive. Fumihiko Nara is the coach at Rio Hasegawa's university sumo club. He says evolution is needed. And Rio Hasegawa can be a catalyst for change. For now, this is the biggest tournament for women's sumo - the amateur world championships. (SPECTATORS CHEER AND SHOUT) Hiyori Kon is preparing for her heavyweight bout. Hiyori's made a momentous decision. She's decided she won't continue to juggle sumo and work. This could be her last world tournament. How are you feeling? Mm... More exciting. Excited. Nervous? Yeah, no. Never. Never nervous? Never nervous. Hiyori makes light work of her first opponent. (SPECTATORS SHOUT AND CHEER) Her second bout barely lasts any longer. Ukrainian Ivanna Berezovska also outmuscles her opponent. (CHEERING, APPLAUSE) So, they've just switched off the lights, meaning we're into the finals now. And after a long day, I've got to say the atmosphere has really gone up a notch. ANNOUNCER: On the east side, for Japan, Kon Hiyori. On the west, for Ukraine, Berezovska Ivanna. Victory will be determined in seconds. (CHEERING, SHOUTING) (APPLAUSE) Hiyori's dreams are dashed. Berezovska Ivanna, the gold medal. Silver medal to Kon Hiyori of Japan. For now, Hiyori is leaving competition life behind. Ah! Konnichiwa. But she's not abandoning sumo. This year, she's moving to Argentina to teach sumo as part of a Japanese government program. It was advertised as a male-only position until Hiyori successfully challenged it. Rio's determined to keep fighting at home. Captions by Red Bee Media Copyright Australian Broadcasting Corporation