
The persistent crying of a baby can be enough to drive some people mad, but at this bizarre contest in Japan it is the sweet sound of victory.

More than 100 babies squared off in a ring today in an annual competition where hulking sumo wrestlers hold them and try to make them cry.

The 400-year-old Japanese tradition at the Nakizumo festival is believed to bring good health to the infants, and the one who bawls first is the winner.

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The 400-year-old Japanese tradition at the Nakizumo festival is believed to bring good health to the crying infants

Babies square off in a sumo ring, with the one who cries first being declared the winner and the healthiest

Sumo wrestlers gently shake the babies and make noises in an effort to get them to cry first and win the competition

The louder the cry – and the longer the wail – the better.

If the youngsters fail to cry within a few seconds, a referee attempts to scare them by wearing traditional masks or making faces and loud noises.

At this year’s event, more than 120 babies ‘competed’ at Tokyo’s Sensoii Temple in the historic Asakusa district.

Parents and spectators looked on with delight as the wrestlers tried to make the babies bawl on command.

More than 100 babies squared off in a ring during the Nakizumo or crying baby contest at Sensoji Temple in Japan

If the babies fail to cry within a few seconds a referee enters the ring and makes funny faces and loud noises to scare them

Babies face each other to determine how loud and long they can cry to celebrate their growth and pray for their good health

The hulking men held the babies, shook them gently and growled as the referee repeatedly shouted, ‘Cry! Cry!’

The festival is held across Japan, with the rules varying from region to region.

In some regions, the baby who cries first is considered the loser.

The ritual is said to be cathartic for the babies – bringing good health to those who take part as well as warding off evil spirits.

Parents and other spectators watched with delight as sumo wrestlers tried to make the babies bawl on command

The festival is held across Japan, with the rules varying from region to region; in some contests, the baby who cries first is the loser

The hulking men held the babies, shook them gently and growled as the referee repeatedly shouted, ‘Cry! Cry!’