Greetings
It is truly a great pleasure that the Sixth Sumo World Championships are being held in Tokyo at the Ryogoku Kokugikan with champion athletes selected from countries around the world.
Sumo is the Japanese national sport, of which Japan can boast to world, that has come to be loved by people as the symbol of culture and tradition. Recently, the number of people in the world who know and love sumo has increased. And they do not just watch it. The number of amateur athletes that want to give sumo a try is steadily increasing.
With this background, the Sumo World Championship Tournament that welcomes its sixth occurrence this year has seen the number of participating countries increase year by year. The skill and technique of foreign athletes has also arrived at the point where they can beat Japan at its own game.
Further, during the course of the tournament, the athletes from the various countries will stay with the university sumo clubs that are affiliated with the Japan Sumo Federation and come into close contact with student sumo athletes. This will enable them to get in touch with the true meaning of sumo. This is a unique opportunity to get to understand the spirit of Japan, and not just technique. There is no doubt that it contributes greatly to international friendship.
That TV Asahi can be of help to the tournament, somewhat, by broadcasting this tournament nationwide gives me great pleasure.
And now, in addition to praying for everyone to compete to the best of their abilities and for the success of the tournament, I would like to express my complements to everyone, beginning with the Japan Sumo Federation, on their great efforts in putting on this wonderful tournament.
Kunio Ito
President
Asahi Television
