BABA MUTUM: I Defeated Every Professional Wrestler in Nigeria.

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Published: July 8, 2008

BABA MUTUM: I Defeated Every Professional Wrestler in Nigeria.

Sumo wrestling is the traditional sport of Japan. It is the country’s oldest martial arts, it is ritualistic and the most distinct sport. Sumo is centered around the Shinto religion, and was first introduced 1500 years ago. Its popularity spread quickly, becoming a more public and widespread event.

 

Matches were usually brutal, the loser often expected to forfeit his life. Due to its brutality, it was banned in the 7^th century. Only the Samurai, and the warrior class, were allowed to practice it as part of their military training. In modern times, Sumo has become a professional sport and is extremely popular, arenas for sumo are plentiful throughout Japan. Since it is native to Japan, it can perhaps be described as the national sport. Sumo combines some of the most public forms of Shinto ritual with the stupendous sight of wrestlers weighing up to 275 Kilograms about (585 pounds) apiece slamming into each other. At first glance many foreigners are often repulsed, but continued exposure converts many into fanatics. Despite the dangers in sumo wrestling, its archaic rituals and tradition, the sport continues to draw new fans and athletes. Women have continued to step up into the squared sumo circle.

 

Hundreds of sumo wrestlers of various nationalities earn comfortable livelihoods, participating in matches not only in Japan, but in Europe and North America. As the sport continues to grow, African Interest’s spotlight is on Nigeria born Emeka Okeke, first African sumo wrestler who recently set up sumo wrestling academy in Nigeria.

 

Nigerian born Ben Emeka Okeke aka Baba Mutum was a former professional wrestler, he was the undefeated super heavyweight champion for three years. He defeated the great Ajaloko the giant and was unbeaten throughout his reign, 1992-95. During his professional wrestling days he was fierce and knocked out most of his opponents. Baba Mutum left professional wrestling for Sumo when no one could step up to him, According to him,” I quit because I ran out of Challenge”, At a time I was asked to fight two wrestlers”. Confident of his strength and agility he traveled to far away Japan to engage the Japanese in their own traditional sport the Sumo Wrestling.  On getting to Japan, he enrolled into the University of Japan Sumo College to learn the rudiments of the sport. In no time he became a leading sumo wrestler, and being the first African sumo wrestler fans trooped out to watch his matches.

 

Baba Mutum became a Japanese subject  known for his powerful grip. He was formidable at Oshi-Zumo in Japanese meaning ability to push your opponents with hands. He continued to fight in yearly championship representing Nigeria, until this Rikishi got injured in a fight. Rikishi literally in Japan means “strong man”. Before getting injured he has fought prominent sumo wrestlers amongst whom is Yeh Kun- Fang of Taiwan.

 

Baba Mutum has however set up a sumo academy in Eastern Nigeria where teenagers are taught how to fight Sumo. Periodic sumo wrestling demonstrations are performed to woo fans and interested athletes. Baba Mutum formed the Nigerian sumo association which is affiliated to the International sumo Federation, ISF. Wrestlers in the sumo academy have the opportunity to become professional sumo wrestlers, and are being invited to Japan for annual sumo championship. Funding has been one the problem affecting the academy, since the inception of the academy it has been funded by Baba Mutum, with little or no help from Government authorities. However, health problems that have plagued sumo wrestlers for decades have also prevented Baba Mutum from moving around to get  private sponsors for the academy. His ailment is as a direct result of rapid and excessive weight gain. He is currently in the United States to undergo an intestinal bypass surgery to remove excess body fats, after which he hopes to re-launch the sumo academy. One of his dreams is to include sumo wrestling in the Annual Nigerian sports festival.

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