As it’s possible to get away with bull sumo, and even a version of the sport involving crying babies, I suppose a stag beetle sumo contest shouldn’t raise too many eyebrows.
The tournament, recently held in Tokyo’s popular Odaiba district, pitted the horrible looking beasties against each other; some beetles really getting into the spirit of the competition, deftly clamping onto their opponents and flipping them over. A feat that presumably drew hoots of pleasure from the enthralled crowd. Perhaps even the odd high-five. Other contestants however failed to grasp the finer points of the sport, scuttling out of the ring as fast as their numerous little legs could carry them.
The competition was probably organized to cash in on the increasing popularity of the video game Mushi King, and the multitude of cards that accompany it. A title that allows game players to control a variety of beetles in a format similar to sumo. However one game-loving youngster went as far as saying, “The video game is not the same as the real game.â€
That said, the middle-aged man overseeing the fight appears to be having far more fun than the rather bored looking kids in the audience.
ifrit says
I think this is forbidden in Europe, as long as fleas circus are. They say it’s a kind of animal explotaiton…
Genevieve says
I was waiting for that last comment, about him having more fun the kids.
Can I just say, this is stupid. Any unwilling creature used for entertainment purposes is stupid.
Logan says
It’s actually the beetles nature to fight with other beetles for dominance and they don’t hurt each other all they do is try to flip one another
Nora Olave-Shibusawa says
My grand-son would have had so much fun. Odaiba is one of his favorite places and he loves bugs, just like any other young boy.
DC says
These are a species of stag beetles and what they are doing is following their natural instinct. Anyone who says it’s cruel or the animal is “unwilling” shows a good deal of ignorance. These beetles evolved to fight. They fight for mates and territories like deer and antelope. They don’t hurt themselves or each other, they merely grab each other like wrestlers and flip one the opponent. The flipped beetle loses. I’ve studied wildlife and nature all my life and of all the so called “exploitation” matches out these, this is the most innocuous and harmless one about. This game is found throughout Asia, not just Japan and versions of it with different animals can be found worldwide.
The beetles themselves are more in danger of being overcollected by harvesters looking to kill them and put them in collections than by a few being caught for wrestling. To add to it, most of the species now in use are foreign and are bred now instead of being captured so species which might be in danger in its native habitat might be saved in captivity by those who admire it’s strength and prowess in wrestling. Lets not forget that they can be rather pricey so they are very well taken care of, often far exceeding their wild life span of a year plus, but rather, outliving hamsters at 5. They are easier to care for than a hamster too.
Oh, but yeah, because some don’t understand it and they assume it must be bad right off they must give a negative opinion instead of actually looking it up.
Bobcat2022 says
Well said, DC. Thanks for shedding light on the topic- the truth won’t set these beetles free, but that’s not a bad thing. 🙂