Sumo.
The belt is called a Mawashi and the apron like garb worn when entering the ring is a Kesho-mawashi
The mawashi is wrapped several times around the sumo wrestler and tied in a knot at the back. Sometimes a 'sagari' (stiff silk fronds) that match the color of the mawashi are attached to the front. These have to be odd in number.
The mawashi and the kesho-mawashi are aired out. Some spot cleaning may be done by hand, otherwise they wear out too fast.
It can take up to 9 meters of material to make the mawashi. One exceptionally large sumo took 13 meters!
In sumo, a mawashi is the belt that the rikishi (or sumo wrestler) wears during training or in competition. Upper ranked professional wrestlers wear a kesho-mawashi as part of the ring entry ceremony or dohyo-iri.
It provides covering and protection for the groin area. It also gives the participants something to grip when struggling to throw their opponent.
A Mawashi Belt is the traditional garb of Sumo Wrestlers, and they traditionally do not wash their belts. However, fashioning such a belt for personal use is easy enough: Obtain ten yards of plain fabric, and pull one end tight but comfortable between the legs. Wrap the remainder around the waist repeatedly until there is nothing left.
Mawashi: The loincloth style belt is 2 feet wide and about 30 feet long. It is folded sideways six times, then wrapped around the waist multiple times (4 to 7) depending on the size of the Sumo wrestler. It is attached around the groin with a strap.In sumo, a mawashi is the belt that the rikishi (or sumo wrestler) wears during training or in competition. Upper ranked professional wrestlers wear a kesho-mawashi as part of the ring entry ceremony or dohyo-iri. The kesho are given to the wrestlers by sponsors and supporters and can be very diverse and beautiful.Those are traditional garment to keep them from carrying weapons.Sumo is the national sport in Japan. It's an Authentic peek into Japan, dating back to Ancient Japanese Culture.The wrestlers are called Rikishi- 'strong man'.Every Wrestler wears a thick silk belt (more like a small diaper…) to their waist which can be grabbed by the opponent and used to throw the Wrestler out of the ring.The samurai Japanese warrior wear Fundoshi - the underwear, which most of all resembled a diaper.Its easy to move in
No, there are no weight classes in sumo. So a wrestler can be matched up with someone who is much heavier. That is why weight gain is so important in sumo training.
They weigh 350 pounds at the least.
They have to wear something! It also provides a way of gripping the individual.