In professional sumo, the ceremony of throwing salt before a bout is called shio-maki.
Wrestlers in the upper divisions may scatter salt across the dohyo before entering the initial crouch. Salt is traditionally associated with purification, and the gesture reflects sumo’s origins in Japanese ritual practices. The amount thrown can vary considerably between wrestlers, from a light sprinkle to a dramatic handful.
Salt is not thrown during every professional bout. The practice is most visible in the makuuchi and jūryō divisions, where wrestlers have more elaborate pre-bout routines and longer preparation time. Lower-division matches generally move more quickly.
Shio-maki is often confused with shikiri, the broader pre-bout preparation period during which wrestlers face each other, stamp, clap, and perform other rituals. Salt is one element of that preparation rather than its complete name.