The 56-year-old stressed amateur sumo was for anyone, adding: “It’s not necessarily about being strong, it’s about mind and body.
“It’s good for the soul, it’s good inner strength.”
Jones said that when she started her sumo career some 20 years ago, she found herself in a largely supportive environment.
However, she said she occasionally faced scepticism, with some suggesting she was doing it “for the telly”.
“I went, ‘do you really think that I would be wearing a lycra suit and a nappy just for 15 minutes of fame?’
“‘I’ll just do it even more just because of how rude you are’.”
Back in Barnsley, Riggs said he hoped more women would take up the the sport.
He said that sumo often attracted people from backgrounds in rugby, martial arts and CrossFit.
“It suits anyone of any background,” he said.
“Anything that’s active and you don’t mind running into people.”