Started sumo wrestling in January – now she is eligible for WC – NRK Sápmi

– I think it’s boring, she said she can’t play anymore.

Karin Boine is from the village of Tanna in Finnmark. She started wrestling when she was four years old and remained active in wrestling until she was about 15. Since then, she has been on and off in the environment.

She gave birth to her first child in 2022. When she wanted to return to wrestling, one thing stood in her way.

– When I became a mother, I couldn’t wrestle because I was too heavy, Boyne said.

In Norway, if you weigh more than 85 kg, you cannot compete in the senior women’s competition.

— which means not everyone is included, Boyne said.

“morning Call”

Although Karin Boyne was unable to compete in wrestling matches, she did not bow her head.

After having a son, she paid more attention to doing what she likes.

– I got a “wake-up call” about what I wanted to do with my life, Boyne said.

One of them is sports. That’s why she tried sumo. There is no upper weight limit.

Although sumo and traditional wrestling have things in common, they are two different sports with different rules and techniques.

– I actually started sumo in January. “My first proper attempt was at the Norwegian sumo championships,” she said.

There she finished second in the heavyweight division.

With only one match and four sumo training lessons in her luggage, she packed her bags and headed to Louslaki, Greece, for the European Sumo Championships.

Before EC, she set herself a goal – to win at least one game.

– I did, she said.

– It was a great experience. “I’ve never been to such a big event before, either sumo or wrestling,” she said.

She made it to the bronze final and finished fifth out of eight competitors, something she was happy with.

The transition to sumo went well for her, but she had to train and think about many new things.

– I want to be a good role model for my son. “I want him to know that nothing can stop you from doing what you want to do,” she said.

There are very few female performers

In Norway, both traditional and sumo wrestling are organized by the Norwegian Wrestling Federation (NBF), but internationally there are two separate federations.

NBF secretary general Morten Sandnæs said the association did not want to exclude anyone, but explained that the weight limit in wrestling is related, among other things, to the number of athletes.

– He said that in reality, there are so few female athletes competing nationwide that there may not be competitions in the higher weight classes.

Additionally, he noted that traditional wrestling can carry a risk of injury.

– That’s why the regulations also stipulate that you can’t weigh much less than your competitors, explains Sandnæs.

The NBF is still discussing changing the cap on traditional wrestling at the national level.

– The Secretary General said that if you saw that there were enough athletes to organize real competitions across the country, our Norwegian regulations would probably be adjusted accordingly soon.

Qualified for the World Cup

Sumo wrestling is a relatively small but growing sport in Norway, said Sigmund Røtnes Widerberg, the national sumo team coach.

He touted Boyne’s performance and hard work during the European Championships, and now she has been chosen to represent Norway in the women’s heavyweight division during the World Cup in Poland.

– If you are good enough, if you are willing, if you have what it takes in body and mind, then we don’t make any artificial demands. If you are the best in your class, then of course we will eliminate you, Widberg said.

Each country can only send one athlete from each level to participate in the World Championships.

– For sumo, the World Cup is the most important thing, the World Cup is the most important thing, “the national team coach said enthusiastically.

Boyne has the desire and drive to continue.

– After EC I became even more interested in the sport. “I will further use the experience gained in the championship so that I can improve and get on the podium,” said Boyne.

She has great pride in the sport and the mentality of the national team and is inspired by the diversity that sports brings.

– Age is not that important, what matters is your appearance. Everyone can join in, she concluded.