Ukrainian sumo players will be holding a training camp in Japan with the support of Japanese organizations for the international tournament to be held in July.
The players held a press conference in Tokyo on the 31st and talked about the current situation of sumo wrestling in Ukraine and their enthusiasm for a training camp in Japan.
Eight people came to Japan, including Ukrainian sumo players and coaches who will participate in the World Games, an international sports competition held in the United States in July, and five of them will be in Tokyo on the 31st. We held a press conference at a Ukrainian embassy.
It is said that the players have been evacuated since the last training in February due to the military invasion by Russia, but they have a training camp in Japan through an organization that has supported Ukrainian sumo from Japan. I decided to do it.
Coach Lubovi Kolobko, who attended the press conference, described the situation in Ukraine where the training facility was lost and the bridge used to reach the facility was destroyed. I heard that I can practice with Japanese players, so I'm looking forward to it. "
Oleksandr Wereshiuk, who has won the international tournament in the past, said, "I am impressed with the kind welcome. I want to make it fruitful because it is my first training camp in Japan. Not only the players but also the country is in a difficult situation. I want to do my best for the country. "
According to the Ukrainian Sumo Federation, the Ukrainian sumo competition population is about 3,000, and it has a track record of advancing to the top in international competitions.
The players are planning to hold a training camp for World Games in June in Usa City, Oita Prefecture and Seiyo City, Ehime Prefecture, for about two weeks each.