Sumo!

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Originally uploaded by rawhite.

Actual matches last only a few seconds usually, but every now and then there's a longer one, still never any longer than 30 seconds. The rituals that take place before each match, however, take forever. Usually they get into position about 3 or 4 times before actually going (you can tell when it's about to really happen by watching the official and his position). If something spectacular happens, the crowd will often throw towards the ring the large mats that they are sitting on. The fact that these mats looks pretty big and heavy makes for some amusing incidents.