“For them to welcome me means very much to me"
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady has taken on a sumo wrestler during a visit to Japan.
Brady was visiting Japan and China this week on a tour promoting American football. During a stop in Tokyo, Brady visited the Sakaigawa sumo stable and stepped in the ring with sumo wrestler Goeido.
Whilst clearly in jest, the pair engaged in a wrestle, pushing each other to the edge of the ring.
The quarterback who led the Patriots to the Super Bowl title last season said the opportunity to learn about the Japanese traditional sport was “incredible”. Brady added that the wrestlers are “very strong” and are “strong in mind and body.”
“For them to welcome me means very much to me,” the 39-year-old told Kyodo news agency. “It’s hard to describe in words how special that was.”
Goeido, who won last September’s Autumn Grand Sumo tournament, said the Brady “has a lot of explosive power. I feel energized. It’s stimulating to have an opportunity to come in contact with athletes from a different sport.”