Exchange Students Experience the Tradition and Excitement of Grand Sumo in Nagoya

Thanks to the support of the Chancellor’s Office, four exclusive box seat tickets for the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament were made available to exchange students through a lottery. The event, held at Nagoya IG Arena, offered students a unique opportunity to experience professional sumo not only as a sport, but as a deeply rooted cultural tradition.

The students selected for the experience were Marton from Corvinus University of Budapest (Hungary), Lis from Universidad Torcuato Di Tella (Argentina), Felipe from IAE Business School (Argentina), and Aleksi from Aalto University (Finland). The students enjoyed watching professional wrestlers compete in an official tournament setting surrounded by passionate spectators. Unlike a tourist demonstration, the event provided a firsthand look at the rituals, atmosphere, and traditions that make sumo a unique part of Japanese culture. Beyond the matches themselves, students experienced the many cultural elements surrounding sumo, including the role of referees, traditional ceremonies, and the connection between sport and Japanese customs.

Reflecting on the experience, Lis shared that she especially appreciated being able to attend a real tournament rather than a tourist attraction, making the event feel authentic and exciting. Marton also highlighted the unique atmosphere of the competition, from the ceremonial introductions and preparation before each bout to the reactions of spectators who followed every movement closely.

NUCB Business School continues to provide exchange students with opportunities to engage with Japanese culture beyond the classroom, creating meaningful experiences that deepen their understanding of Japan during their studies.