Sumo brings confidence to 448-pound woman

LONDON, Jan. 23 (UPI) -- A 448-pound British woman training with the Japanese national women's sumo wrestling team said the sport taught her to love her body.

Sharran Alexander, 46, of London, said she took up sumo six years ago and used to train with a women's team in Derby, but the team has now shrank so far that she is its sole member, The Sun reported Monday.

"There's not many sports women my size can do, so when I found sumo six years ago it changed my life," The Sun reported Monday. "I used to be ashamed of my size and wore unflattering clothes -- but after taking up sumo up I learned to love my body."

Alexander, who has won four gold medals at international sumo competitions, said she is training with the Japanese team this month.