What do sumo wrestlers throw into the ring before a match?

Sumo wrestling is the national sport of Japan. Once patronized by the emperors, Sumo's origins go back at least 1,500 years, making it the world's oldest organized sport. In its long history, sumo has gone through many changes and many of the rituals that go along with the sport that seem old were in fact conceived in the 20th century.

Sumo wrestlers can be found in clubs, high schools and universities. Both in Japan and abroad, however, sumo is best known as a professional spectator sport. Many Westerners who have spent time in Japan like sumo. The appeal of the sport lies in the intensity of the matches, the ceremony and drama that accompanies the tournaments.

There are many religious traditions in sumo: wrestlers sip sacred water and throw purifying salt into the ring before a match; the referee dresses like a Shinto priest, a Shinto shrine hangs over the ring. When wrestlers enter the ring they clap their hands to summon the gods. In addition to wrestlers’ colorful mawashi (belly bands) and distinctive hair styles called oicho (ginkgo-leaf knot).

Wrestlers in professional sumo are assigned a rank according to their division. The highest ranks, in descending order, are 'yokozuna' (grand champion), 'ozeki' (champion), and 'sekiwake' (junior champion). 'Yokozuna' is the only permanent rank in sumo. While such men cannot be demoted due to a mediocre performance, they are expected to retire if they are not able to uphold the demanding standards of their position.