IN the vibrant city of Thies, Senegal, an unlikely encounter between cultures takes place as Japanese wrestler Shogo Uozumi immerses himself in the local wrestling style known as Laamb. Having left his native Tokyo behind, Uozumi now trains and shares his Olympic wrestling expertise with aspiring Senegalese wrestlers, forging bonds of friendship and cultural exchange.
After being thrown into the air by an oversized opponent in a dusty alleyway, Uozumi quickly got back on his feet, brushed off the sand, and rejoined his fellow wrestlers clad in loincloths. Undeterred, he resumed his fighting stance with a smile. Uozumi, who previously competed in Greco-Roman wrestling at the national level in Japan, made the decision to come to Thies last year in order to master the Senegalese wrestling style and contribute to the local wrestling community.
‘With every training session, I can feel myself becoming stronger,’ Uozumi expressed, catching his breath. ‘I experience a tremendous sense of joy and personal growth.’
Rooted in ancestral war rituals, Laamb has evolved from a post-harvest pastime into Senegal’s national sport. It combines physical combat with acrobatics, with victory determined by an opponent’s back touching the ground.
Uozumi’s introduction to Laamb occurred during a trip to Senegal in 2017 with Japan’s aid agency. He was captivated by the cultural similarities he discovered, including the concepts of hospitality, known as Teranga in Senegal and Omotenashi in Japan.
Since fully relocating to Senegal in 2022, Uozumi has become a part of the wrestling community in Thies, the country’s third-largest city. He has established an academy with around 36 students, whom he is mentoring in preparation for the 2026 Youth Olympics.
‘He has shown me the true meaning of commitment, leaving his home country without significant financial gain, knowing that he would have just enough to sustain himself and develop our sport,’ praised Cheikh Badiane, a Laamb wrestler and one of Uozumi’s closest friends. ‘I would support him no matter the cost.’
Recently, at a national competition in Saint-Louis, Senegal’s former colonial capital, Uozumi and Badiane coached their wrestlers from the sidelines, drawing a crowd of hundreds vying for a glimpse. One of their students claimed the silver medal in her weight class.
‘Senegalese people live together, united with their families and friends, and they support one another in this way,’ Uozumi remarked upon returning to Thies. “That’s the kind of culture I resonate with.”
Uozumi’s journey in Senegal exemplifies the power of cultural exchange and the passion for sports that transcends borders, enriching both the individual and the community.
(with Reuters)