Japanese Airline Books Extra Plane For Sumo Wrestlers After Aircraft Becomes 'Too Heavy' To Fly

Japan's top airline needed to change suddenly when they realized two planes might become too heavy. It wasn't because of extra bags but because the passenger list included some of the country's most gigantic sumo wrestlers.

What was the challenge?

To ensure these planes didn't exceed weight limits, Japan Airlines did something "very unusual"¡ªThey organized a special flight for some of the sumo athletes so there would be enough fuel for their original flights.

As the sumo wrestlers traveled from Tokyo and Osaka to the Special National Sports Festival on Amami ?shima Island, fate took an unexpected turn.

The unexpected dilemma unfolded when it was revealed that these athletes, with an average weight of 264.55 pounds (120kg), were significantly heavier than the typical passenger by a remarkable 100 pounds (45kg), as reported by Japan Airlines.

Given the weight of the sumo wrestlers, there were concerns about the two Boeing 737-800s being unable to accommodate the required amount of fuel due to weight restrictions.

Amami Airport's reputation for posing challenges to large aircraft during arrival and departure was adding to the complexity.

How did the airline resolve the issue?

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Sumo wrestlers, set to compete in a sports festival on Amami Oshima Island, were initially booked to fly on Boeing 737-800 planes from Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Osaka's Itami Airport.

However, a late discovery by staff revealed that the wrestlers, with an estimated average weight of 120kg, significantly surpassed the average passenger weight of 70kg.

This raised concerns about the planes' fuel capacity, given that Amami Airport's runway couldn't handle larger aircraft.

Japan Airlines had to arrange an extra flight for 27 wrestlers, including 14 who needed to fly from Itami to Haneda before boarding the memorable trip. Reports indicate that additional flights were planned to transport the wrestlers back after the competition ended on Sunday.

The world of sumo wrestlers is no stranger to unusual travel arrangements.

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In 2014, a viral picture showed wrestlers sharing a tiny plane with regular passengers. These male athletes, all from the Hakkaku stable in Tokyo, were often spotted in similarly cramped conditions while traveling by bus to summer training camps.

Sumo wrestlers can vary widely in size. While some are similar in size to athletes like England's rugby captain Owen Farrell, others are considerably larger.

Is there a weight limit to become a sumo wrestler?

The heaviest rikishi ever recorded, a Russian-born fighter named Rora, who retired in 2018, reached a peak weight of 292.6 kg.

In sumo, wrestlers can reach astonishing weights, often two to three times that of the average adult. What's remarkable is that there's no minimum weight requirement to enter the world of sumo wrestling. It's a sport that welcomes competitors of all sizes, highlighting the diversity within this ancient and revered tradition.

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