Regarding the June 24 article "Sumo world's foreigners on rise, roll with punches": Tell me how shoving sand into a wrestler's mouth builds character, strength and stamina. And for a change of pace, we are expected to believe that pushing salt past the lips builds more virtuous qualities.
Why is such cruelty still acceptable? Because it's tradition!? So was flogging sailors in the navy, but the barbaric procedure is no longer practiced. When the sumo world decides to join the 21st century, it may attract more homegrown wrestlers with yokozuna potential.
michael g. driver
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