UWAJIMA, Ehime -- Bulls weighing nearly a metric ton each clashed in a ferocious display of force at a "sumo" tournament in this west Japan city on Jan. 2, with some 1,000 local and visiting spectators taking in the spectacle.

       Bulls are seen locking horns ferociously at the city government managed Bull Sumo Tournament venue in the city of Uwajima, Ehime Prefecture, on Jan. 2, 2022. (Mainichi/Yuichi Nakagawa)

       One of bull sumo's regular tournaments, the meet in Ehime Prefecture's city of Uwajima saw competition from 18 bulls hailing from in and out of the prefecture. Bouts have no time limits, and the clashes go on until one side backs off. The "seko" beaters who direct the bulls strike the animals' bodies to rile them up, and the bulls make a low thud as they violently slam their bodies and horns against each other. Many children come to the venue, and some could be seen leaning forward to shout encouragement to the animals.

       A 43-year-old local woman who came with her family to witness the tournament smiled and said, "It's a regular event at the start of the year. It makes me feel like trying my best this year, too."

       (Japanese original by Yuichi Nakagawa, Matsuyama Bureau)

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