Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo meets Japanese sumo athletes at the City Hall. Japan held an international sumo match in Senayan on 24 to 25 August to commemorate the diplomatic relation with Indonesia. Tempo/Syailendra Persada
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Governor Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has welcomed a group of exceptional guests earlier today, as ten Japanese sumo athletes came to visit the iconic figure of the Capital. To his surprise, the athletes were nearly three times bigger than the tiny governor, weighing only 123 lbs.
Ratiyono, the Chief of Jakarta Sports Agency said the athletes will perform in Istora Senayan tomorrow and Sunday. They had previously expressed their wishes to meet Jokowi.
The sumo athletes came wearing kimono with the typical ponytail. They wished the governor would be able to attend the exhibition, which will present 40 top sumo players from all around the globe.
The international sumo exhibition is held in Jakarta to commemorate the 55th democratic bilateral relationship between Japan and Indonesia, as well as 40 years of cooperation between Japan and ASEAN. Ratiyono added that the event can help promote the sport to Indonesians, amid the uncommon nature of the sport in this nation.
