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No matter how big and tough they might look even these giants of sumo wrestling can get upset when it comes to having an injection.

So when they had their flu vaccinations in Japan, one look at their faces shows they were clearly attempting to avoid looking like cry-babies.

To add insult to injury, the Japanese Sumo Association posted snapshots of their terror struck faces on their official social media account.

They hope that images of the squeamish sumos - with a combined weight of three tonnes - might make ordinary folk feel they should be brave and face the challenge.

Twenty of them were taken down to their local anti flu clinic to be given their shots.

(Image: CEN) (Image: CEN) (Image: CEN)

Some apparently took it better than others, but most looked like they would rather face an opponent in the ring any day as they rolled up the sleeves of their yukaya kimonos.

Health experts in Japan say that the country’s influenza season got off to an early start last month.

Ministry of health officials have advised those infected to wear masks to prevent spreading the virus through coughs and sneezes and to thoroughly wash their hands several times a day.

Hot spots have already been identified in Okinawa and Tochigi.