Trump Watches Sumo, Presents President’s Cup to Winning Wrestler

May 27, 2019

Tokyo- U.S. President Donald Trump watched on Sunday professional sumo matches live with his wife, Melania, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and his wife, Akie, at the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena in Tokyo's Sumida Ward. br />
At the victory ceremony held after all bouts on the final day of the summer grand sumo tournament were over, Trump stepped on to the ring and presented the specially made U.S. president's cup to Asanoyama, the winner in the "makuuchi" top division at the 15-day competition. br />
For Abe, sharing the sumo-watching experience with Trump was apparently intended to demonstrate his close friendship with the U.S. president. br />
Around 5 p.m. (8 a.m. GMT), Trump appeared at the spectator area of the sumo arena and sat on a sofa placed in the "masuseki" box seat section near the ring. The audience welcomed Trump with a standing ovation as he showed up. Trump responded by waving to the crowd with a smile. br />
Trump watched five makuuchi bouts, including one for Asanoyama, who won the summer tournament with the 12-3 record. br />
At the victory ceremony, Trump presented the president's cup to the wrestler, with the rank of maegashira 8, aided by stablemaster Nishiiwa. Before Trump, Abe handed the prime minister's trophy to Asanoyama, who won a bimonthly grand tournament for the first time. br />
According to the White House, the president's cup is about 140 centimeters tall and weighs about 30 kilograms, with a sculpture of the bald eagle, the national bird of the United States, attached on its top. br />
Trump left the arena around 5:45 p.m. after shaking hands with some of the spectators. br />
Later on Sunday, Abe, Trump and the first ladies had an informal dinner party at a "robatayaki" traditional Japanese grill restaurant in the Roppongi district in Tokyo. br />
At the outset of the dinner, Trump said that he is grateful for an incredibly beautiful evening and that he really enjoyed watching sumo. He added that he had long wanted to watch sumo matches. br />
According to officials of the Japanese Foreign Ministry, this was the first time for a sitting U.S. president to watch sumo matches of a grand tournament at an arena. Abe advised Trump, a combat sports fan, to watch sumo matches live, the officials explained. br />
Trump posted on Twitter a video of matches he watched and his presenting the cup to the victorious wrestler, as well as some comments including one showing his gratitude for Abe. br />
"It was my great honor to present the first-ever U.S. president's cup," to Asanoyama, Trump said, congratulating the wrestler on the victory. br />
Due to the visit by Abe and Trump, security was tightened at Ryogoku Kokugikan on the final day of the tournament. Spectators had to be checked by metal detectors and to undergo baggage checks before entering the arena. br />
"We were very honored to welcome President Trump and Prime Minister Abe on the final day of the summer grand tournament," Japan Sumo Association head Hakkaku, a former yokozuna sumo grand champion who had the ring name of Hokutoumi, said in a statement. br />
The U.S. president's cup will be presented to the makuuchi division winner of every summer grand tournament from now on, according to the association. The summer tournament is held every May. Jiji Press br />