Congratulatoy Speech
I would like to express my pleasure at the grand opening of the Sixth Sumo World Championship and also welcome from the bottom of my heart the competitors and officials from 37 countries and regions throughout the world.
Sumo respects courtesy. and through the training of mind, technique and body. has become part of the landscape of Japan as a martial art that aims toward true human form.
Sumo has grown popular overseas. It is both the heritage of our culture and is also known as our national sport, Sumo is beginning to be accepted as a modern sport. The fact that sumo has shown outstanding development is the source of much pride for those of us in Japan's sporting world. We look forward to the prosperity and further development of sumo.
We anticipate seeing participants in the championship, fully display their techniques honed in daily training and compete fairly with all their strength. More importantly, we hope that their actions will contribute to the friendship and goodwill of the participating nations.
Lastly, I would like to express my deep respect for those who have endeavored in the opening of this event and hope for its great success.
Hironoshin Furuhashi
President
Japanese Olympic Committee
