1. Bout/match duration

  1. Bout length
    1. If a bout goes on for over three minutes without coming to a conclusion, the bout shall be stopped and a torinaoshi (re-match) shall be ordered.
    2. At a signal given by the timekeeper, the head judge shall instruct the gyoji to stop the bout.

2. Scoring methodology

  1. Unless otherwise provided herein, the following criteria determine the winner of a bout.
    1. The competitor who moves his/her opponent out of the shobu-dawara (straw bales that form the circle of dohyo).
    2. The competitor who forces any part of his/her opponent’s body, other than the soles of his/her feet, to touch the ground before the opponent does the same.
  2. When the opponent is in the shinitai position (dead body, i.e., in a falling position where the competitor has completely lost his/her balance), the competitor shall not lose even if either of the following occurs.
    1. The competitor puts his/her hand to the ground a moment before the opponent lands.
    2. The competitor steps out of the ring of shobu-dawara a moment in advance of the falling opponent.

The above items (a) and (b) shall be known as the kabaite (protecting hand) and kabaiashi (protecting feet) respectively.

  1. When a competitor has lifted his/her opponent clear of the ground and carries him/her forward out of the shobu-dawara, it shall not be a loss if his/her foot goes out first (okuri-ashi). If, however, the competitor steps out backward, it shall be considered a loss.
  2. When a bout is won by one of the throwing techniques etc., the competitor who executes the throw does not lose if his/her instep turns over and touches the ground before the opponent lands.
  3. It shall not be a loss if the orikomi (front fold) of the mawashi (loincloth belt) touches the ground.
  4. After a deliberation by the judges, a competitor may be judged to have lost the bout in any of the following cases:
    1. if the competitor is ruled to be unable to continue the bout through injury.
    2. if the competitor is ruled to have used a kinjite (prohibited move)
    3. if the competitor arbitrarily terminates the bout
    4. if the competitor is ruled that he/she deliberately failed to jump-off to begin the bout
    5. if the competitor does not abide by the judges' instructions
    6. if the maebukuro (front pouch part) of the mawashi comes undone and falls away during the bout
    7. if the competitor does not appear in the dohyo-damari (ringside waiting area) after being called twice by the broadcasting staff.

3. Legal scoring techniques

  1. Allowed techniques:
    1. charging your opponent
    2. Harite (open hand strikes)
    3. arm thrusts
    4. pushing with the body, head, arms and legs
    5. shoving
    6. Nodowa (thrusting an opponent’s throat)
    7. leg trips
    8. lifting your opponent and driving him outside the dohyo
    9. throwing your opponent on the ground in a way that is considered safe

4. Legal scoring targets

  1. Torso, arms, legs, throat, neck, head, face

5. Illegal scoring techniques

  1. When a competitor is injured during a bout, the gyoji must stop the bout immediately. The judges must consult Medical Committee members and respect their diagnosis in deciding whether or not the bout can be resumed.
  2. The following moves are deemed kinjite (prohibited moves):
    1. punching the opponent with a closed fist
    2. poking the opponent with fingers
    3. kicking the opponent in the chest or abdominal regions
    4. taking hold of the opponent's hair
    5. taking hold of the opponent's throat
    6. taking hold of clothing other than the mawashi (i.e. underpants, leotard, bandages, support pads, etc. This rule shall apply hereafter.) twice or more
    7. taking hold of the maebukuro or maetatemitsu (front vertical part of the mawasihi), or sticking fingers in at the side and pulling
    8. bending back one or two of the opponent's fingers
    9. biting
    10. slapping the opponent's face with an arm outstretched more than a shoulder width

When any kinjite is used, the gyoji must stop the bout immediately.

  1. Respect and adherence to spirit of martial arts: In view of the fact that sumo is a type of martial art, sumo athletes must respect each other and, while doing their utmost, refrain from using techniques that would intentionally injure or harm their opponent. The following actions are considered to be in violation of this principle and are hence also considered kinjite:
    1. deliberate strikes with the fist, feet, knee, elbow, or head on any part of the opponent’s body with the intent to cause harm
    2. lifting and slamming down your opponent with the use of excessive force
    3. high amplitude throws or crush outs performed with a disregard for the opponent’s safety

6. Illegal scoring targets

  1. Groin area

7. Scoring fouls/penalties

  1. Any use of a kinjite (prohibited move) results in a loss

8. Result declarations

  1. Winner determination
    1. The gyoji must in all cases determine the winner at the instant the bout is over.
  2. Raising an objection
    1. If the head judge or any of the judges has an objection or a doubt (hereinafter referred to as “objections etc.”) to the gyoji's decision regarding the result of a bout, he shall raise his right hand immediately and lodge objections etc.
    2. The objections etmust clearly point out a kimarite (officially recognized technique) and be stated plainly and concisely.
    3. In the event of an objection or doubt, the video recorded by the equipment installed under the dohyo shall, in principle, be viewed for the purpose of contributing to the consultation. Officials declare winner based on the highest cumulative score at the end of the match.
    4. Once the gyoji has given the kachi-nanori (formal announcement of the winner), the decision is final and no objections etc. may be raised.
  3. Review of objection
    1. When an objection etc. has been raised, the whole judging panel must immediately move to the center of the dohyo and discuss the matter.
    2. In their deliberation, the judges shall identify the reasons for the gyoji’s decision as a point of reference and take this into consideration.
    3. A judge may abstain from the deliberation in situations where the bout ending move was hidden from the judge’s view, or for other legitimate reasons.
    4. A judge must not express the validity of his own opinion so strongly as to impede the deliberation.
  4. Final judgement
    1. The head judge shall make the final judgment in a deliberation and shall announce a clear and concise explanation of the decision.
    2. In principle, the decision shall be reached by a majority vote of the judges (excluding the gyoji).
    3. The head judge shall try to convince the minority of the validity of the majority decision.
  5. Judges’ deliberation
    1. When the head judge or one or more of the judges has confirmed that a bout has been decided but the gyoji does not call a decision and allows the bout to continue, the following measures shall be taken:
      1. In the event of a fumikoshi (stepping out of the dohyo) etc., where there is a visible mark on the ground, the judge who observed the evidence shall raise his right hand to clearly signal the end of the bout. If this happens, the head judge shall instruct the gyoji to stop the bout and the final decision shall be made through deliberation among the judges.
      2. In case no visible mark is confirmed on the janome (circle of swept sand immediately outside shobu-dawara) as evidence to decide the winner, an objection shall be lodged at the end of the bout, and the decision shall be reached through deliberation.
    2. If the gyoji mistakenly calls out "Shobu atta!" (The contest has been decided!) when a bout is in progress, the head judge or any of the judges shall lodge an objection and a torinaoshi (re-match) shall be declared following a deliberation.

9. Athlete attire and required equipment

  1. Every athlete must wear a suitable mawashi (loincloth). The following are also allowed:
    1. Fundoshi undergarment for men (recommended)
    2. leotard or wrestling singlet (mandatory for women)
    3. compression shorts for men
    4. protective mouthguard
    5. wrestling protective headgear for ears
    6. athletic tape
    7. soft races for the knee, elbow, wrist or ankle
    8. one-piece, soft fabric athletic head covering designed for religious or personal use
  2. The Event Organizer reserves the right to restrict the colours of the approved attire.
  3. No other accessories, jewelry, or garments are permitted.