May 17, 1998
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The Arizona Daily Star
Mike Peru, who weighs 402 pounds, has been studying sumo for two years.

By Joanna Bojorquez
Special to The Arizona Daily Star

Sumo wrestler Hanakaze crouches - his powerful legs supporting his massive body.

Hanakaze, a k a Mike Peru, strikes his opponent in the chest with an open hand. The final blow causes the foe to step out of the ring and Hanakaze is the victor.

Though only a practice session, Peru, a senior at Amphitheater High School, has gauged his abilities.

Peru said he transformed his life to become a sumo wrestler two years ago. He was named Hanakaze, Japanese for ``flower wind,'' by the Southern California Sumo Wrestling Association because of his physical ability, like that of a powerful wind, and his gentle demeanor, like that of a flower.

Peru, who weighs 402 pounds and stands 5 feet, 11 inches, became interested in sumo two years ago after watching Manny Yarbrough compete in an Ultimate Fighting Championship event. Yarbrough was the 1995 world amateur champion and the first American sumo wrestler to win a world amateur title.

Peru wrote to the Japanese Amateur Sumo Federation and received information on U.S. sumo activities.

He began to train, which included changing his eating habits. His diet went from a typical Mexican meal to specialty dishes like chankonabi - a soup with meat, vegetables and tofu.

Peru's physical training stresses conditioning techniques to promote flexibility and lower body strength.

While in training, Peru received an invitation to participate in the first North American Amateur Sumo Wrestling Championships in Inglewood, Calif. The June 1997 event attracted 40 wrestlers from the United States and Canada.

Peru said he was honored to compete against Yarbrough, who had to forfeit the bout due to a shoulder injury.

As the youngest participant, Peru said he learned valuable wrestling techniques and conditioning exercises from veterans and coaches.

``That was a great experience for me. I had never gotten the chance to do something like that,'' Peru said. ``Just the fact that little kids came up to me to ask for my autograph made me feel good about myself, and I was really proud to have people looking up to me.''

Peru, a native of Tucson, said he has not befriended sumo wrestlers in the state. He said he has pursued his interest by reading books and surfing the Internet.

``I'm so impressed with Mike,'' said Carol Peru, his mother. ``He has done this on his own. He knew what he wanted and he went for it.''

Peru, 18, hopes to represent the United States in the 2008 Olympics. He said he also wants to teach others about the ancient art by starting a program for sumo wrestlers in Tucson.

Sumo wrestling, a traditional sport and the national pastime of Japan, comes from Shinto - the oldest surviving religion of Japan - and is practiced by wrestlers not just as a sport, but as a way of life, said Peru. Sumo has some similarities to boxing, wrestling and martial arts.

The life of a sumo wrestler is religious and peaceful, and a wrestler must ``always act in a dignified and courteous manner,'' Peru said.

Sumo wrestling began more than 2,000 years ago as a religious ceremony to pray for a plentiful harvest, he said.

Recently, two Americans placed prominently in the sumo ranks, including the current Yokuzuna - grand champion - and Hawaii-born Akebono, prompting Japan to ban non-Asian sumo professionals, said Peru.

The ban may kill Peru's prospects for competing in Japan. However, it will not kill his goal to be a great sumo wrestler in the United States.

``Just by getting in the same stable with them gives you respect with all the other fighters,'' Peru said.

Joanna Bojorquez is a senior at Pueblo High Magnet School.