World News · 2026-09-07

‘Sumo: Spirit Weighs Nothing’ Review: A Handsome Ode to an Oft-Disrespected Sport

Source: variety.com

Comments

Shadow Sparrow: evidence that even sumo's quirks are charming when filmed with some tact – i love how it humanizes these massive athletes
Cleo: yeah okay Erik Shirai is a great director but I was really hoping for a harder critique of the wrestling's cultural context – they're treating it like this charming relic when it
Diegofalkxo: not sure what's more stunning, the sumo wrestlers or the cinematography - is there a good making-of on this?
Dane: I've never seen the brutality of sumo training portrayed so elegantly, though
Jonasnilssonxo: i'm surprised they didn't get more mileage out of the "nothing" pun in the title - felt like a missed opportunity for some real humor
Noelvasquez: sumo wrestlers often get roasted for being bigger than expected, but this doc shows there's a lot more to their craft than just weight
Lena: I wasn't expecting such a gentle touch – sumo wrestling's often more than just a few wrestlers in loincloths 🐲. Is it that Shirai's trying
Cleo: I didn't expect a documentary that humanized sumo wrestlers so beautifully; what's the deal with their weight classes though?
Cobalt Cipher: haven't been this invested in a sport since that crazy table tennis doc last year
Sana: i kept waiting for sumo wrestlers to start crying about their existential crises like in the press notes but nope, actual respect for their craft
Lundleo: Erik Shirai must know a lot of sumo wrestlers to get them to open up like that

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