A staff helps an elementary school sumo wrestler to wear a mawashi, the loincloth that sumo wrestlers wear, during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers fall out of the sumo ring as they compete in the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers wait for their tournaments during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers wait for their tournaments during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

An elementary school sumo wrestler puts ice on his head after his match during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

An elementary school sumo wrestler cries in the sumo ring after losing in his match during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

An elementary school sumo wrestler competes in the sumo ring during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during the Wanpaku sumo-wrestling tournament in Tokyo, Japan October 29, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Sumo wrestler Okinoumi Ayumi throws beans at the annual bean-scattering ceremony to celebrate the upcoming arrival of spring and wish to drive out the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic at the Naritasan Shinshoji temple in Narita, near Tokyo, Japan, February 3, 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Makiko, the mother of elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai, watches her son's tournament during the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai and his father Taisuke check Kyuta's tournament schedule during the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai reacts after losing to Hisatsugu Sasaki in a tournament of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at a locker room of Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai eats lunch with his mother (not seen) after he lost in a tournament of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Taisuke pats his son and elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai as they eat lunch after Kyuta lost in a tournament of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai looks at photos of former grand sumo champions after the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai smiles as he eats lunch with his mother after he lost in a tournament of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Taisuke, the father of elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai, watches his son's tournament at the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai competes in a tournament of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai reacts after losing to Hisatsugu Sasaki in a tournament of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at a locker room of Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai looks at rival sumo wrestler Hisatsugu Sasaki as he waits for a tournament during the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai reacts after losing in a tournament to Hisatsugu Sasaki during the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai competes against Hisatsugu Sasaki at a tournament during the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at the Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai competes against Hisatsugu Sasaki at a tournament during the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai and his father Taisuke head to Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Stadium for the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Tokyo, Japan, December 5, 2021. Picture taken December 5, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai, with sand from the sumo ring on his body, practises ahead of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Komatsuryu sumo club in Tokyo, Japan, December 1, 2021. Picture taken December 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai, with sand on his face from a sumo ring, practises ahead of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Komatsuryu sumo club in Tokyo, Japan, December 1, 2021. Picture taken December 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai wipes sand off his body while practising ahead of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Komatsuryu sumo club in Tokyo, Japan, December 1, 2021. Picture taken December 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai practises ahead of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Komatsuryu sumo club in Tokyo, Japan, December 1, 2021. Picture taken December 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai practises ahead of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Komatsuryu sumo club in Tokyo, Japan, December 1, 2021. Picture taken December 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai, with sand on his body from a sumo ring, practises ahead of the All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship at Komatsuryu sumo club in Tokyo, Japan, December 1, 2021. Picture taken December 1, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai heads to a sumo ring at a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai competes in a sumo ring at a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Taisuke Kumagai adjusts his son Kyuta's loincloth, called a mawashi, ahead of a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai warms up as he watches other students' competitions at a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai stands next to other sumo wrestlers as he waits for his match at a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai competes in a sumo ring at a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Taisuke Kumagai pats the head of his son and elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai after Kyuta winning in his age group competition during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai looks at his victory medal after a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai competes in a sumo ring at a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestler Kyuta Kumagai washes his foot after winning in his age group competition during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

An elementary school sumo wrestler cries after losing his match at a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers wait for their matches during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Elementary school sumo wrestlers compete in the sumo ring during a regional tournament of Junior Olympic Cup All-Japan Elementary School Sumo Championship in Kawasaki, south of Tokyo, Japan, October 17, 2021. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon 

Among the young sumo wrestlers lifting weights in the ring, 10-year-old Kyuta Kumagai stands out. At 85 kilograms (187 lb), Kyuta is twice the size of the other children his age and is so dominant that he wrestles, and beats, boys five or six years older. Last year, he was crowned the under-10 world champion, beating out competition from as far afield as the United Kingdom and Ukraine. His training regime, devised by his father Taisuke, is relentless. He trains six days a week, either at his local sumo club or lifting weights. He also swims and practices track and field to build up the flexibility and explosive quickness needed for sumo wrestling. Kyuta has been on the programme since his father entered him in a tournament while still in kindergarten. "I didn't teach him anything, he could do various things naturally," said Taisuke, a former amateur sumo. "There is a talent for sumo and he has that talent. He won the tournament. I thought he may have something special." A shy boy of few words, Kyuta's motivations are simple. "It is fun to beat people older than me." REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon SEARCH "KYUNG-HOON SUMO" FOR THIS STORY. SEARCH "WIDER IMAGE" FOR ALL STORIES Matching text: SUMO-JAPAN/KID