Lance Cpl. George Taara, an ammunition technician with Ammunition Company, 3rd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force, wrestles against a Henoko resident in a championship bout June 1, 2019. Taara was the first ever Marine to reach the championship bout in this century-long traditional event.

Photo by Ike Hirayasu

A Marine makes a history in Henoko sumo

3 Jun 2019 | Ike Hirayasu Marine Corps Installations Pacific

HENOKO, OKINAWA, Japan --

Henoko hosted a sumo tournament June 1, following the town’s dragon boat races last month, as part of annual festivities hoping for a rich harvest.

The Henoko sumo tournament is a century-old tradition which has included Marines and family members of Camp Schwab since 1973.

Camp Schwab is considered as 11th residential section of Henoko and the official section flag was given by mayor of Henoko in 1999.

Unlike sumo in mainland Japan, Okinawan style sumo is very unique in its form, as wrestlers firmly grip their opponent’s belt to start a bout.

The event began at dusk, with first and second graders’ competition.

“It was fun” said 8th grader Cael Perry, who competed against a local child.

At the end of children’s tournament and award ceremony, five representatives with the Henoko Youngman’s Association competed against five Marines of Camp Schwab in friendly matches. Henoko won three-to-two, archiving their 11th consecutive victory.

The main event of the night was the open championship, and in addition to Henoko residents, experienced sumo wrestlers throughout island participated.

A total of 37 wrestlers participated in this year’s tournament, including 17 Marines. Also participating this year were Col. Jason S.D. Perry, Camp Schwab Commanding officer, and Sgt. Maj. Luis “Chino” Leiva, the sergeant major of Camp Schwab.

“We are honored to be invited to the Henoko’s traditional sumo”, said Perry. “It’s fantastic and wonderful experience. This is a good form of friendship between Henoko and Camp Schwab.”

“This was the one of the best experience I have had since I have been here in Okinawa for 14 months,” said Leiva, who reached to the quarter finals.

In the final bout, which started just before midnight, for the first time ever, a Marine reached to a championship bout.

Lance Cpl. George Taara, an ammunition technician with Ammunition Company, 3rd Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 35, 3rd Marine Logistics Group, III MEF, tied with one-to-one in regulation time.

Taara lost it in overtime but the place was filled with applause and cheers for him, not just Americans but local residents as well.

Taara finished a second place, awarded many prizes which he could not carry by himself.