On August 15th, the 21st Crying Sumo Tournament was held in the precincts of Namioka Hachimangu Shrine (Namioka, Aomori City) for the first time in three years.

The tournament is a traditional event held at Namioka Hachimangu Shrine during the Obon season. Infants aged 6 months to 2 years participate and compete in the loudest cry. In addition to the winner and runner-up, we will prepare the “Energetic Award” and “Performance Award”.

Wataru Hasegawa of the Aomori Namioka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who organizes the event, said, "The area is exhausted, and I thought it would be nice to have a lively atmosphere during the Obon period. To avoid crowds, we divided the event into six blocks and staggered reception times. I decided to do it," he said.

Every year, a young sumo wrestler dressed in a hanten called the ``kumimase role'' holds a child in his arms. This year, as a measure to prevent infectious diseases, a new style has been adopted in which the family members hold the athletes in their arms and enter the ring to compete. I couldn't quite cry, and the draw continued.

Referee Takayoshi Ishioka said, "Usually young wrestlers hold the wrestlers, so there is anxiety about being separated from their parents, and there are many children who cry even before the start. It's hard to make them cry because they feel relieved because their parents are holding them. Crying. Rather than sumo wrestling, it's crying sumo wrestling," he said with sweat on his forehead.

Takako, the mother of Fuka Sasaki (1 year and 5 months old), who participated in the hula costume, said with a smile, "Somehow I won. I think I cried because I was sleepy. There was also a performance award, so the costume was cute." show.

Hearing the referee's voice, "Hakke yo, no kota," cheers and applause erupted from the family cheering for him below the ring.

Awards will be announced on the Chamber of Commerce website.