Mawashi is the Japanese term for the thick loincloth worn by professional sumo wrestlers in bouts.
A mawashi is a strong belt-like garment wrapped around the wrestler’s waist and upper legs. During a match, wrestlers grip the mawashi to control an opponent’s balance, movement, and direction. Many winning techniques depend on securing an effective grip before driving or throwing an opponent.
In professional competition, wrestlers commonly wear silk mawashi in official bouts. Training mawashi are generally made from cotton. The garment must be tied securely because loosening or losing it can end a bout and create a serious rules issue.
The mawashi is different from the kesho-mawashi, the ornate apron worn during the ceremonial ring-entering procession. It is also distinct from historical Japanese undergarments that may look similar. In sumo, the mawashi is both essential equipment and a central part of the sport’s grappling style.