shin2 wrote:

I think if it hasn't become a third tier sports yet, unless changes are made, it's about to become one.

I think you may be correct. I was talking to my friend in Kobe. Back when the whole Asashoryu thing happened, she raked him over the coals like there was no tomorrow. But now her attitude seems to be, "Eh, who cares."

Sumo completed its first official basho in six months after a self-imposed punishment, the result of a yaocho (match fixing) scandal. Lone yokozuna Hakuho was aiming for a record-breaking eighth consecutive yusho but surprisingly (well, maybe not surprisingly) fell short; instead, fellow Mongolian Harumafuji hoisted the Emperor's Cup. During the tournament, perpetual ozeki Kaio broke Chiyonofuji's record for all-time wins, then retired before the end of the basho.

The sport of sumo continues to decline, suspicions of yaocho continue to persist, and the lack of competition, even with Harumafuji's win, is still glaring. Sad.

Found a video of the Hakuho/Haramafui match on YouTube. What I like about this video is it shows all the pre-match and post-match activity. Usually that stuff gets cut out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL5RBG0voRE

gaijinmark wrote:

Found a video of the Hakuho/Haramafui match on YouTube. What I like about this video is it shows all the pre-match and post-match activity. Usually that stuff gets cut out:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL5RBG0voRE

It's always fun to watch the zabuton fly whenever an upset occurs. The people closest to the dohyo must think they're sitting ducks though; a number of them use their zabuton to cover their heads.

I notice there were quite a few kenshokin banners paraded around prior to the match; that hasn't happened much in recent years.

Kotoshogiku first Japanese promoted to ozeki in 4 years

The Yomiuri Shimbun

The Japan Sumo Association promoted sekiwake Kotoshogiku to ozeki Wednesday, making him the first Japanese in four years to reach sumo's second-highest rank.

Kotoshogiku, 27, from Yanagawa, Fukuoka Prefecture, secured his promotion with a sparkling 12-3 record at the recent autumn basho.

The JSA board of directors voted unanimously to approve the promotion at a special meeting held at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Wednesday.

The last Japanese to reach ozeki was Kotomitsuki, who was promoted in 2007 after that year's Nagoya tournament. Estonian Baruto was the last wrestler to reach that rank, when he was promoted last year after the spring tournament in March.

Association director Nishonoseki and refereeing committee member Minezaki visited Kotoshogiku at his Sadogatake stable in Matsudo, Chiba Prefecture, to inform him of the promotion.

In a televised ceremony, Kotoshogiku said, "Seeking the state of 'banri ikku,' I will make efforts and work hard every day."

The expression "banri ikku" was taken from an art-of-war book by sword master Miyamoto Musashi and describes the ultimate art of fighting as having a state of mind clear of indecision or complexities.

Born Kazuhiro Kikutsugi, Kotoshogiku made his debut on the dohyo when he was 17 at the New Year tournament in 2002. His ring name was Kotokikutsugi at the time.

He was promoted to juryo in the 2004 Nagoya tournament and became a makuuchi division wrestler at the New Year tourney the next year.

Weighing 174 kilograms and standing 1.79 meters tall, the new ozeki debuts as an ozeki at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament in November.

Popular ozeki Kaio, who also hails from Fukuoka Prefecture, retired recently, and many fans in Kyushu are looking forward to seeing the performance of the new ozeki.

After going through the formal ceremony, at which news of his promotion was conveyed, a visibly relieved Kotoshogiku was all smiles at a press conference.

"I've been longing for this day and I'm very happy," he said.

His stablemaster Sadogatake also had been anxious during the autumn tournament that decided his promotion. He said his heart was thumping while he watched his protege's bouts. While pleased with Kotoshogiku's promotion, Sadogatake said he wants him to climb even higher.

"This isn't the final stop. There's one more place to go up," he said, suggesting he wants Kotoshogiku to aim at sumo's highest rank of yokozuna.

Kotoshogiku graciously thanked competitors, including sekiwake Kisenosato and komusubi Toyonoshima, for inspiration.

"Thanks to my rivals, I could reach this level," he said.

Foreign wrestlers such as yokozuna Hakuho and Asashoryu have dominated sumo tournaments in recent years. The last Japanese native to win an Emperor's Cup was Tochiazuma at the New Year tournament in 2006. Japanese fans will be hoping the new ozeki can break this drought.

"I'd like to achieve good results on the dohyo an become an ozeki loved by everybody," Kotoshogiku added.

Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hanaregoma encouraged Kotoshogiku to stick to the style that has served him so well.

"An ozeki is obligated to win bouts, but I hope he'll wrestle just as he has and not crack under the pressure. I hope he'll now aim to become a yokozuna," Hanaregoma said.

gaijinmark wrote:

Kotoshogiku first Japanese promoted to ozeki in 4 years

The JSA is desperate to have sumo become popular again in Japan, and what better way than to promote a native Japanese to the second highest rank. They're also hanging their hat on the fact that the two runners-up in the just completed Aki basho--Kotoshogiku and Kisenosato--are Nihonjin and, oh--both were responsible for the only losses suffered by Hakuho who ended up winning the basho.

The next step, as the article pointed out, is for Kotoshogiku to become a yokozuna, a position no native Japanese has held since Takanohana's retirement way back in 2003. Typically for an ozeki to be promoted to yokozuna, he has to win consecutive basho, but there is precedent for promotion to sumo's highest rank by other criteria. Think the JSA will try and finagle a way to get Kotoshogiku that promotion if he's anywhere within sniffing distance of it?

Thirty-four straight tournaments, almost six years without a native Japanese raising the Emperor's Cup. Even though the JSA has proclaimed to have cleaned up sumo (does anyone really believe that?), what are the chances that in the near future there will be conversations with Hakuho about how great sumo will be with Kotoshogiku and Kisenosato vying and perhaps even winning a basho?

You know, when Hakuho suffered his second loss in this past basho I was thinking, "That was pretty easy." I thought the fix might be in then. Call me cynical. But I think Hakuho has too much pride to just give one away. Now if Asashoryu were still around he'd be saying, "Make sure you spell my name right on the check."

And I wish they'd do something about Baruto and Kotooshu. Those two guys have turned "mailing it in" into an art form.

gaijinmark wrote:

You know, when Hakuho suffered his second loss in this past basho I was thinking, "That was pretty easy." I thought the fix might be in then. Call me cynical. But I think Hakuho has too much pride to just give one away. Now if Asashoryu were still around he'd be saying, "Make sure you spell my name right on the check." And I wish they'd do something about Baruto and Kotooshu. Those two guys have turned "mailing it in" into an art form.

The problem with the sanyaku ranks (except for yokozuna, of course) is that, in order to keep your rank, all you have to do is achieve kachi koshi which is an eight and seven win-loss record. And with ozeki (like Baruto and Kotooshu), even if they achieve make koshi (losing record), they fall under kadoban ozeki status, which means they keep their ozeki rank for another basho in order to produce a winning record and maintain their rank. That's how Kaio was able to be the longest tenured ozeki. I think there should be a sliding scale for sanyaku rikishi in order to keep their rank: a minimum of nine wins for komosubi, 10 for sekiwake, and 11 for ozeki. And no kadoban!

I think you're right that Hakuho has a lot of pride, but it's become apparent that yaocho (match fixing) is viewed quite differently in the sumo world than it is by the public. We see it as unethical and a blow to the integrity of the sport; sumo sees it as trading favors and helping one's peers. And because it's been so ingrained in sumo for hundreds of years, I believe most rikishi, oyakata, and JSA members still do not see it as being wrong, even with the prolific scrutiny and criticism sumo has experienced in recent years. I think they're just being more circumspect about doing it. Yeah, I have become cynical about a sport I no longer love but doggone it, still have affection for.

When in doubt, get out the 9-iron.

Sumo coach warned over golf club beating

TOKYO - A sumo coach was warned Wednesday by the Japan Sumo Association for beating three of his wrestlers with a golf club.

Sumo coach Kasugano visited the JSA after it was revealed he hit three of his wrestlers for ignoring his instructions to wear kimonos when going out in public.

The wrestlers were reportedly beaten in the abdomen and the back last Friday, Kyodo news agency reported. A golf iron with a broken grip was found at Kasugano's training facility.

The three wrestlers, including Georgia-born Tochinoshin, have said they will not file a complaint as they were at fault. Sumo wrestlers are supposed to adhere to a strict code of conduct when going out in public, which includes wearing traditional robes and their hair in top knots.

The 49-year-old Kasugano is a former wrestler who reached the third-highest rank of sekiwake, competing under the name Tochinowaka.

gaijinmark wrote:

When in doubt, get out the 9-iron. Sumo coach warned over golf club beating TOKYO - A sumo coach was warned Wednesday by the Japan Sumo Association for beating three of his wrestlers with a golf club. Sumo coach Kasugano visited the JSA after it was revealed he hit three of his wrestlers for ignoring his instructions to wear kimonos when going out in public. The wrestlers were reportedly beaten in the abdomen and the back last Friday, Kyodo news agency reported. A golf iron with a broken grip was found at Kasugano's training facility. The three wrestlers, including Georgia-born Tochinoshin, have said they will not file a complaint as they were at fault. Sumo wrestlers are supposed to adhere to a strict code of conduct when going out in public, which includes wearing traditional robes and their hair in top knots. The 49-year-old Kasugano is a former wrestler who reached the third-highest rank of sekiwake, competing under the name Tochinowaka.

Egregious abuse of a golf club. Wonder if he chose his least favorite iron to do the beatings?

Not just former football players dieing young: http://english.kyodonews.jp/photos/2011/11/124637.html

shin2 wrote:

The next step is for Kotoshogiku to become a yokozuna, a position no native Japanese has held since Takanohana's retirement way back in 2003. Typically for an ozeki to be promoted to yokozuna, he has to win consecutive basho, but there is precedent for promotion to sumo's highest rank by other criteria. Think the JSA will try and finagle a way to get Kotoshogiku that promotion if he's anywhere within sniffing distance of it? Thirty-four straight tournaments, almost six years without a native Japanese raising the Emperor's Cup. Even though the JSA has proclaimed to have cleaned up sumo (does anyone really believe that?), what are the chances that in the near future there will be conversations with Hakuho about how great sumo will be with Kotoshogiku and Kisenosato vying and perhaps even winning a basho?

Well, almost halfway thru the fall basho and he's tied for the lead: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ss20111119b1.html

Edit: He lost on day 10. To Baruto of all people!!

Edit part II: Easy basho for Hakuho. After day 12 he's undefeated and his next closest competition are 3 wrestlers with 3 losses each.

Edit part III: Hakuho goes 14-1, lost his final match, Baruto played spoiler again. Too bad Baruto can't fight like that all the time.

And now there's an Egyptian sumo wrestler:

Sumo world gets 1st Arab wrestler

John Gunning / Special to The Daily Yomiuri

Sumo is set for its own "Arab Spring" next March, when Egyptian Abdelrahman Ahmed Shaalan takes to the dohyo in Osaka.

Shaalan, who has been given the fighting name Sunaarashi (sandstorm), joined the Otake stable in Tokyo on Tuesday morning, three years after beginning his quest to join professional sumo.

"When my foot touched the dohyo for the first time in Japan I felt power surge up through me. I thought to myself, 'I'm connected to this,'" a clearly elated Shaalan told The Daily Yomiuri moments after being accepted by stablemaster Otake.

Although he will be the first African or Arab to enter Japan's national sport, Shaalan said that doesn't bring any added pressure.

"I don't care about that," he said. "I'm just happy. I want to show people that there is no difference between black, white, Arab or Asian people. We are all human. All brothers and sisters."

At 15, Shaalan, who had already developed a massive physique through bodybuilding, first tried his hand at sumo in a friend's club in Egypt.

"I knew it was not just a normal sport when everyone from the smallest to the biggest beat me," he said. "I thought, 'Oh my God, I'm so big how can they beat me?'"

Throwing himself into the sport, he improved rapidly and within months had won a bronze medal representing Egypt at the 2008 Junior World Sumo Championships in Estonia.

"After winning a medal all I could think about was coming to Japan and joining ozumo," he said.

Receiving help from fellow sumo enthusiasts in Germany and the Netherlands, he spent the next three years preparing to become a professional. Despite elation over realizing his dream, Shaalan is under no illusions about the life of a sumo wrestler.

"I know know the next few years are going to be very, very hard, but I will do more than my best to repay the stablemaster, his wife and the other wrestlers for putting their faith in me," he said.

Sometimes it's not even safe for the referee: http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/ss20120112b1.html

gaijinmark wrote:

And I wish they'd do something about Baruto and Kotooshu. Those two guys have turned "mailing it in" into an art form.

I guess Baruto heard us. After day 10 he's alone at the top, undefeated 10-0 after Hakuho was upset by Kakuryu!!

Here's the video of the Hakuho/Kakuryu match. A little gamesmanship going on at the beginning:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XqMKJqAhCrc

Baruto wins New Years Basho going 14-1. He lost the final match to Hakuho. Hakuho regained some measure of respect with the last day win but overall, very disappointing basho for him.

NHK didn't show sumo highlights of the Spring Basho on Newsline so I shot them an email asking why. They replied saying they won't be covering sumo anymore but they will have a new sports program in April:

In April, NHK WORLD TV is starting a new weekly program titled "SPORTS JAPAN", in which our producers hope to feature Sumo as often as possible. In principle, from April, the Program will be broadcast on Sunday, at 0:10, 4:10, 8:10, 12:10, 16:10, 20:10 (UTC).

Btw, Hakuho won the spring basho going 13-2. His only two losses were to Kakuryu and Kisenosato. After going 14-1 in the New Year's basho, Baruto reverted to form and was 10-5 this spring.

Beating Hakuho all those times finally paid off for Kakuryu, he got promoted to ozeki.

Kakuryu set for ozeki debut.

New ozeki Kakuryu pledged Monday to entertain fans at the upcoming Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.

"My first goal is to secure a winning record, but I'll make sure I put my best effort in each bout and try to pump up sumo fans," Kakuryu told a press conference at his Izutsu stable.

Earlier in the day, the Japan Sumo Association released the rankings for the May 6-20 tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan, where there will be six ozeki for the first time in the history of the ancient sport.

Kakuryu earned promotion to sumo's second-highest rank after coming close to winning his first Emperor's Cup at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in March, only to lose to lone yokozuna Hakuho in an all-Mongolian playoff.

It has been a little over a month since Kakuryu officially became ozeki on March 28.

"Now people recognize me on the streets," Kakuryu said. "I feel good about being encouraged by all kinds of people."

Asked to comment on people's expectations for his first title, Kakuryu said, "I feel tension building up in my shoulders when I think about that. I'll just concentrate on what I'm doing. I might have my eyes on the title after I pick up my eighth win."

Also on Monday at the Miyagino stable, Hakuho shared his views about the upcoming tournament.

"Everyone is getting stronger," he said. "It's the first time in sumo history that there will be six ozeki. I'm proud of myself for being yokozuna in this historic period."

With his 22nd career title in March, Hakuho tied former yokozuna Takanohana for fifth on the all-time list.

"I feel like I still have a long way to go," Hakuho said. "It's only midway though my sumo career."

Mongolian sumo wrestlers have won a total of 49 titles.

"It's going to be No. 50 for us, right?" Hakuho said. "It sounds good. I want to be the one to mark the 50th."

Gajinmark,

I quite often watch the sumo matches if I catch them on TV. It always fascinates me that such heavy bodies can move so quickly and seem to be clever with a light foot movement. I know from ballroom dancing that large men can be as light in movement as any woman, so there must be something different about the way they, and sumo wrestlers, can balance and change direction so swiftly.

I have rarely seen a long sumo battle. It is over in a flash sometimes so the balance is crucial I think. What is the diet for them to be big and still strong.

brad2 wrote:

What is the diet for them to be big and still strong.

Found two articles, first this one: http://www.intermartialarts.com/article/sumo-wrestler-diet

And this one:http://www.slate.com/articles/sports/left_field/2004/11/from_soup_to_guts.html