Everyone knows Donald Trump loves his job, but he appeared to enjoy it a little extra as he presented a gigantic trophy to the winner of a sumo tournament in Japan.

The US president said he had always been ‘fascinated’ by the sport – and combined with a round of golf and cheeseburgers – Trump was in heaven.

It was all part of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s charm offensive, who appeared to successfully woo the American leader with things close to his heart.

Trump got a taste of one of Japan’s most treasured cultural institutions as he and Melania joined 11,500 fans at Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium to watch massive and muscular men battle for the prize in a small ring of dirt.

At the end of the match, Trump stepped into the ring and presented the special US-made President’s Cup to champion Asanoyama.

He is the first US president to take part in such a ceremony and later said it was an ‘incredible evening’.

Trump said before having dinner with Abe and his wife Akie: ‘That was something to see, these great athletes.’

Trump and the First Lady’s four-day visit to Japan is to demonstrate the strength of the US-Japan alliance.

Earlier on Sunday, Abe welcomed the pair to the Mobara Country Club for a round of golf (their fifth since Trump became president) with Japanese pro Isao Aoki.

The golf was followed by a lunch menu of double cheeseburgers made of US beef, before Abe whisked his pal off to watch some sumo wrestling.

Trump took his seat a few rows behind the ring, which was a break from the custom of sitting cross-legged on a mat.

The Japan Sumo Association also banned the ritual of throwing seat cushions as an expression of disappointment.

Trump broke the rules again as he wore slippers as he walked onto stage as shoes are banned from the ring.

He was helped as he presented the enormous trophy, which Japanese media called the Trump Cup. The White House said it weighed 60-70lb.

Trump, who was inducted into the World Wrestling Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2013, has sponsored major wrestling events in the US int he past.

The president also became the first foreign leader to meet Japan’s new emperor Naruhito since he ascended to the throne on May 1.

For dinner, the leaders and their wives enjoyed grilled chicken, Wagyu beef and vanilla ice cream.

Abe is trying to placate Trump amid growing US-Japan trade tensions and the threat of auto tariffs.

Japan also is contending with the continued military threat from North Korea, a concern seemingly heightened by Trump’s apparent dismissal of the North’s recent tests of short-range missiles that could strike Japan.

Trump has threatened Japan with new tariffs on imports of cars and auto parts, citing national security grounds.

He has suggested he will impose levies if the US cannot win concessions from Japan and the European Union.

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