WATCH: Max Verstappen earns ‘Sumostappen’ title as he takes on Sumo Wrestlers in Japan
Max Verstappen featured in a sumo wrestling competition ahead of the Japanese GP where he just revealed his actual weight.
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Reigning world champion Max Verstappen embraced a unique challenge ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix, earning himself the playful moniker ‘Sumostappen’ by a fan on X. The Red Bull driver, took on a sumo wrestler in a friendly Sumo Pushing Challenge.
The encounter unfolded at the F1 Tokyo Festival, which transformed the Kabukicho district into a motorsports extravaganza. Red Bull landed much earlier in Japan to engage in promotional activities at Honda’s mainland. All the Red Bull academy drivers graced the festival.
The Sumo Pushing Challenge pitted Max Verstappen against a sumo wrestler. In a traditional sumo bout, strength, balance, and technique are paramount. While the sumo donned the traditional outfit, Max was seen wearing his Red Bull jersey and skinny pants. Prior to the contest, the Dutchman was asked his weight, to which he replied, “Too much” with a chuckle. He then clarified it was ‘74 kgs’ and the challenge kicked off.
Standing face-to-face with his sumo counterparts, palms open and ready for action, Verstappen embarked on the unique challenge. The objective was simple: resist being pushed out of the designated area while simulating the intense pushing and shoving that defines sumo wrestling. The contest was not about physical force but about balance and composure, qualities that Verstappen has displayed in F1.
Max Verstappen and Red Bull will aim to bounce back after Singapore GP nightmare
The Dutchman won the contest with the sumo losing his balance and stepping out of his zone. As the video of this emerged on the internet, one particular fan on Twitter (now, X) took the chance to award the Red Bull driver the monicker, “Max Sumostappen.” Fellow Red Bull drivers, Liam Lawson, Japanese driver, Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen’s teammate, Sergio Perez and Daniel Ricciardo were seen having a chuckle about the contest as well.
Verstappen and Red Bull will be hoping to bounce back after a difficult time last time out in Singapore. The team that was undefeated all season failed to bag even a podium at Marina Bay, with Verstappen taking the fifth place after a disastrous qualifying in 11th. His teammate, Sergio Perez finished a lowly ninth and had a much more tragic race.
Both Red Bull and Max can potentially wrap the season up this weekend. Red Bull need to outscore Mercedes by one point and Ferrari by 25 to win their sixth world title. Verstappen, on the other hand, has to outscore his teammate, Perez by 9 points to win his third title in a row. Red Bull’s indulgence with the Japanese traditional competition shows their ties with Honda and the Japanese culture.
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Rohit Bhaskar
(727 Articles Published)