It’s quite the spectacle — the battle between two sumo wrestlers within a circular ring called a dohyo.

The sport originated in Japan some 2,000 years ago, and is now coming to The Theatre at Madison Square Garden.

What You Need To Know

  • Sumo wrestling originated in Japan around 2,000 years ago
  • The modern form of the sport took shape around 1684, when rules were developed that are still followed today 
  • World Championship Sumo features wrestlers from around the globe
  • More than 80 countries have sumo wrestling outside of Japan

World Championship Sumo starts on Saturday, April 13 at 8 p.m., featuring 12 wrestlers from around the world. That includes Oosuna “Sandstorm” Arashi, who hails from Egypt and lives in New Jersey.

Arashi trained and wrestled in Japan for 10 years. He explained the rules, which are simple: if a wrestler gets pushed out of the circle or forced to the ground, that’s it.

“If your hand touches the ground, you lost. If your knee touches it, you lost,” Arashi said.

Sumo wrestlers are big guys, and that’s an understatement. Kamal “Big Kimo” Basira is also Egyptian but calls the Bronx his home.

He said even though a lot of the wrestlers tip the scales at more than 300 pounds, it’s not all about the weight.

“You have to be fast, strong and you have to keep your balance the whole fight,” Basira, who wrestled with Sandstorm on the Egyptian sumo team, said.

The action is fast-paced. In Japan, there is just one round, but in World Championship Sumo, it’s the best two out of three to advance. International Sumo League president Noah Goldman said Sumo is the perfect sport for the 21st century.

“The matches are very quick, they are under a minute or so, so everyone’s attention span is good and you get a result,” Goldman said.

With plenty of action along the way, head to the MSG box office or here for ticket information.