In Japan, the ancient sport of Sumo is wrestling with how to accept female competitors on an equal footing as men- challenging deeply held traditions. University student Rio Hasegawa is one of the women trying to modernise attitudes towards the sport they love.
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00:00 Keio University is one of the most prestigious in Japan.
00:04 It's never had a woman at its sumo club in its 100-year history
00:08 until Rio pushed the door open.
00:12 I've never had a woman at my sumo club.
00:16 I've never had a woman at my sumo club.
00:19 I've never had a woman at my sumo club.
00:24 I've never had a woman at my sumo club.
00:29 I've never had a woman at my sumo club.
00:33 I've never had a woman at my sumo club.
00:36 I've never had a woman at my sumo club.
00:41 Do you see yourself as a pioneer for women's sumo?
00:46 I don't think I'm that big of a deal.
00:50 She's a world-class sumo wrestler.
00:53 She's a world-class sumo wrestler.
00:57 She's the most passionate about sumo in Keiko.
01:03 I respect her in many ways and I learn a lot from her.
01:08 With no professional competition for women,
01:13 Rio knows she'll probably have to give it all up after university.
01:17 I don't know how to continue sumo,
01:21 so I'm going to continue working as a social worker.
01:24 I don't know what I want to do.
01:27 I thought about quitting sumo when I graduated from university.
01:31 I thought about quitting sumo when I graduated from university.
01:34 I want to live my life as a sumo wrestler.
01:39 I want to live my life as a sumo wrestler.
01:42 I want to live my life as a sumo wrestler.
01:45 I respect her.
01:47 [BLANK_AUDIO]