280-pound Australian Teenager To Fight For Sumo Wrestling Title

by Jon Azpiri | October 7, 2008 at 11:10 am

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A 14-year-old girl will become the youngest Australian to participate in the world wrestling sumo championships this month in Estonia. Samantha-Jane Stacey, otherwise known as "Sammy Sumo", is considered a favourite to win the junior women's heavyweight division

Stacey took to the sport after watching it on television and soon began training with her brother Blake. The teenager weighs more than 280 pounds but insists that her weight is due to a pre-existing medical condition rather than diet.

Samantha-Jane says she does not try to put on weight but concentrates on a balanced diet to keep her fit for the fight.

'I'm naturally a big girl. I don't have to eat anything extra.

'I have a medical condition that does not allow me to lose the weight. A side effect of that means I look obese. But I do have a healthy diet.'

Samantha-Jane's favourite food is Weetbix, which she eats with banana and strawberries for breakfast.

While many young women would struggle with such a medical condition, Samantha-Jane has decided to use it to her benefit, and one day hopes to represent her country at the Olympics.

As for Samantha-Jane, her dream is one day to see sumo wrestling entered as an Olympic Games sport.

"I am so proud to represent my country and I want to keep doing it," she said.