The sound of feet thumping, massive bodies colliding, and an excited audience cheering made the first professional sumo wrestling match in Thailand a stunning and beautiful experience to watch, and one that also gave a sense of Japan's unique heritage.

JAPAN will hold a full-scale sumo tournament in Thailand next year as part of the celebrations of 130 years of bilateral ties between the countries, Deputy Prime Minister Tanasak Patimapragorn said yesterday.