What might appear to Americans as cruel and unusual. The Japanese find it a tradition that helps to ward off bad spirits.

The annual tradition is held in Japan. Hundreds of babies are entered into a contest where they face off head to head with another baby. How loud the babies cry after being yelled at by a sumo referee determines the winner of the match. The baby with the loudest pipes wins.

Some babies stare blankly through their matches others sleep and some start waling before they even enter the ring. Here at JACK we find it not to be cruel... but down right entertaining. Probably won't be long before we start watching "American Cry Baby" instead of idol.

More From 92.9 WBUF