And are all of these offensive?
Here is a pizza flavored pretzel commercial from Japanese TV, which uses the Italian word bongiorno, so I guess it insults the honor of two nations with one stone.
Former sumo champion Konishiki arrived back in Japan recently for the first time after undergoing gastric bypass surgery in February.
Since the operation Konishiki has shed 70 kilograms (144 pounds), from a high of 300 kilograms (660 pounds).
Though we would like to congratulate Konishiki on his weight loss and wish him the best in the future, we must admit that he still looks pretty hefty in the above “after” photo.
NPR’s news show, Day to Day, has a story (audio, 4:30 min.) on a sumo tournament held in Los Angeles. The coverage of the tournament covers old ground (very basic), but it was interesting that the tournament took place abroad, even if it was just an exhibition.
For the first time in 27 years, 40 top-ranked athletes traveled to Los Angeles for an exhibition tournament. Most people have seen sumo wrestlers only in photographs, but pictures of these barely-clothed behemoths can’t capture the live spectacle as the wrestlers gracefully lumber into the sumo ring, or dohyo.
Most of the wrestlers who competed at the Los Angeles Sports Arena were more than 6 feet [183 cm] tall and well over 300 pounds [136 kg]. And though they all take Japanese sumo names like Takamisakari or Wakanosato, many hail from places like Bulgaria, Estonia and Mongolia.
The NPR sports show Only a Game has a 6 1/2-minute segment on Sumo. It’s largely a primer on the sport but also focuses a lot on Asashoryu, the controversial, Mongolian, grand champion who is one of one of only two top-ranked yokozuna. In brief, he seems to get himself into trouble such as breaking a car mirror after a match, playing soccer in Mongolia on a supposed-sore knee, and not appearing in the expected kimono. The story also touches on other topics such as the controversial death of a 17-year old stable apprentice.
The Washington Post recently had an excellent recap on the ongoing investigation into the death of Takashi Saito, a 17-year-old wrestler who was literally tortured to death by his stablemaster and mates.
His death, which police initially ruled to be the result of “heart disease,” led to the arrest last month of his former sumo stable master, who has since told police he beat Saito because the boy had a “vague attitude” about his career in sumo.
Three wrestlers have also been arrested in connection with the beating. But it took until Thursday — more than eight months after Saito’s death and a month after the wrestlers were indicted — for the powerful Japan Sumo Association to take action against them. The JSA decided that it would ban the three from competing in sumo tournaments and said that, if they were found guilty, it would expel them from the profession.
A few months ago I was at a social event where some well-known gaijin sumo expert was going on and on about how the case needed to be left to the Sumo Association to deal with in their own, centuries-old way.
Thanks much to Brian Engel for letting us know about this story.
On gaining respect for Japan’s oldest sport
Two titans squaring off
Sumo — quivering mounds of flesh set into sudden motion that is at once jarring and engaging. It’s the sport of gods, literally. However, it took me some time to appreciate sumo. Long before I made my way over to Japan, my image of sumo was not a very flattering one. To me sumo was a match where two nigh-immobile mountains of flab come together with all the speed of erosion to push one or the other slowly out of the small ring they were in. In short, fat guys in diapers having a shoving match — not exactly my cup of tea.
Impact!
If you thought sumo a sport of slow moving fat guys in thongs engaged in an aggressive shoving match, guess again.
As any follower of Sumo knows, Sumo wrestlers are fast, strong, and agile. They also know how to take a fall real well. And they get tossed around a lot.
The following is a series of falls, tumbles, and throws from several tournaments: Sept ‘06, May ‘07, July ‘07 in Nagoya, and Sept ‘07. There’s also scenes from an outdoor exhibition in April ‘07.
I went early in the day for the Nagoya Basho and caught some of the junior wrestlers so this vid has wrestlers from the very top to the very bottom of the sumo hierachry.
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Sumo fans will remember 2007 as something of a low point. Record low numbers of recruits, diminishing media coverage of actually wrestling, and instead of scandal after scandal - first the death of a young rikishi attributed to a brutal training regime, and then the rather strangely larger row that blew up when Asashoryu (朝青龍) was spotted running around a Mongolian football pitch when he was supposed to be injured.
The story ran and ran to an almost tedious length in the Japanese media, but as 2008 started, it seemed that the old adage - “There’s no such thing as bad publicity” - was to some extent true. Asashoryu had served his two-tournament ban and was back. Meanwhile, compatriot Hakuho (白鵬) was waiting for him.
And the two yokozuna met yesterday in an all-Mongolian finale to the New Year tournament.
Rather more detailed ‘match reports’ available here and here.
Just when it seemed as if sumo was starting to get back to relative normality, word comes out of Nagoya that police are getting ready to accuse stablemaster Tokitsukaze and a number of wrestlers in his table inflicting injuries a wrestler named Tokitaizan in June, which led to his death.
Tokitaizan, whose real name is Takashi Saito, collapsed during a training session in Inuyama, Aichi Prefecture, on June 26, and was confirmed dead a few hours later.
Aichi Prefectural Police said that on the day before his death, Tokitaizan escaped from the sumo stable, but was dragged back by other wrestlers in the stable. He had reportedly escaped from the stable several times in the past, so that evening Tokitsukaze hit him in the forehead with a beer bottle, leaving him with a cut. Afterwards, the other wrestlers apparently teamed up and beat him.
Investigators said the other wrestlers had sometimes attacked Tokitaizan in the past, burning him with cigarettes. Burn marks were found on several places on his body.
Initially, a hospital where Tokitaizan was taken after he collapsed reported that he died of a heart problem. A police autopsy, however, concluded that the cause of death was shock due to multiple external injuries.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - UPDATE: 9/27/2007
Family members said that at about 4 p.m. on June 26, the day Tokitaizan died, a stable representative called and indicated that proceedings for a cremation were going ahead. However, a member of the family became suspicious and replied, “We can’t have that happen. We’ll go there ourselves.” After that, the stable reportedly arranged for the body to be sent to the family.
When the family saw Tokitaizan’s body, they were shocked. He had a cut on his forehead and severe bruises, along with burn marks that appeared to have been made by cigarettes.
The following day, when Tokitsukaze arrived to pay his respects, the family asked him for an explanation, but he only replied, “He got that from regular training,” and repeatedly stated that preparations for a cremation had not been made to hide the wrestler’s injuries.
A woman spectator abruptly attempted to enter the sumo ring at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Wednesday, but officials managed to apprehend her at the edge.
The middle-aged woman, whose name is being withheld, tried to enter the ring between bouts.
She was in possession of handbills at the time. When sumo officials questioned the woman before escorting her out of arena she mumbled incomprehensibly.
The Japan Sumo Association seems to be doing all in its power to destroy the ancient sport it is supposed to be overseeing.
Still not recovered from the recent Asashoryu debacle, the JSA has come under further criticism for ham-handed treatment of veteran announcer Kunihiro Sugiyama, who was stripped of his sumo press credentials on Monday for “nodding in agreement” on a TV show as criticism was being voiced of how the Asashoryu incident was handled. At the time, JSA Chairman Kitanoumi stated that a “commentator” is not entitled to a press pass.
After being subjected to a barrage of criticism for their actions, including a letter of protest from the Tokyo sumo press club, the Sumo Association reversed itself and re-issued credentials to Sugiyama on Wednesday. The every-gracious Sugiyama said that the original problem was the result of a “misunderstanding.”
I will admit that I don’t know all that much about sumo, especially at the administrative level, but I, for one, am starting to wonder whether the main problem of the Japan Sumo Association might be their Chairman, Kitanoumi. I remember back when Asashoryu was going strong and beating just about every wrestler who faced him reading an interview with Kitanoumi in which he said something like, “the Asashoryu era is about to end.” I remember it so well because I laughed out loud when I read it. Asashoryu was not simply the best, he was completely dominating the sport. Shortly after that, Asashoryu was accused of fixing matches by a weekly magazine, he lost a few matches, and then he was caught on camera playing soccer in Mongolia when he was supposed to have been on sick leave.
Of course, the sequence of these events could very well have been a coincidence. But heck, give me a good old conspiracy theory any time.
Sumo wrestling is quite famous as a symbol of Japan, although it’s been around since prehistoric times. The current top wrestler in Japan’s professional league is the celebrated Mongolian Asashoryu, a powerhouse who has won no less than 21 tournaments in his stellar career since attaining the rank of Yokozuna (Grand Champion) in 2003. Unfortunately, things just haven’t been going his way lately.
First, he ducked out of the summer exhibition bouts in Northern Japan citing an injury but was mysteriously well enough to play in a soccer game with Hidetoshi Nakata for charity, which caused a big uproar in Japan when it was reported. Convinced that Asashoryu had over-stated his injury in order to take a vacation, the Sumo Association called him back to Japan to explain himself. In the end they banned him from playing in the next two sumo tournaments, a first for a Yokozuna, and docked his pay for four months (ouch).
As the official national sport of Japan, sumo is taken very seriously, and sumo wrestlers are expected to have
Asa has rubbed Sumo Association officials the wrong way in the past, daring to be seen in public in a Western suit instead of the traditional sumo garb, arguing with judges over their calls, and showing elation and frustration after bouts rather than appearing emotionless like the pillar of bushido that he’s supposed to be. He also once pulled the top-knot of an opponent a few years ago, which was quite the scandal.
As a fellow foreigner I can really sympathize with the poor guy — it’s hard to be something you’re not, and seeing the way the press is ganging up on him makes me feel sorry for him. Hopefully he’ll be able to hansei (reflect) on things and be a better wrestler for it in the future.
Big trouble is brewing for sumo Yokozuna (Grand Champion) Asashoryu when video clips of him playing in a soccer game in his home-country of Mongolia made their way back to Japan after he pleaded a lower back injury to beg out of a summer tour here.
The video clips, which were playing all over the Japanese news, showed Asashoryu running around and kicking the ball, apparently free of any injury.
A New Champion is Chosen
From Reuters: Hakuho: the new Yokozuna - sumo champion
What in Xanadu Kublai Khan of Stately Palace Dome fame decreed and failed to do twice over seven centuries ago, two Mongolian sumo wrestlers have accomplished. They have conquered Japan, not in the way their brethren would have done long ago with sword and spear but through their wrestling skills, they have conquered the world of sumo and dominated the headlines in Japan.
Two Sumo wrestlers square off in Tokyo
After his second tournament win in a row, Mongolian-born Hakuho (real name Munkhbat Davaajargal) has been promoted to the highest rank a sumo wrestler can achieve - Yokozuna. For over three years only one wrestler has held onto that title alone - Asashoryu (Dolgorsuren Dagvadorj) also from Mongolia.
Bulgarian Sumo wrestler Kotooshu
In 2003 Asashoryu was promoted to Yokozuna. Since that time he so dominated the tournaments that no other wrestler was able to win two tournaments back to back during the same six tournament season in order to be qualified for promotion. There are six tournaments held every two months throughout the year. Since 2003, Asashoryu has won 18 of them, twenty all together in his impressive career. Asashoyru’s chances of winning his 21st tournament were dashed on Day 13 of the 15-day tournament when he lost his match.
Yokozuna Asashoryu holds tight
Sumo is a rigid hierarchical sport that wrestlers have to climb upwards for attention and salary. Along the way, a wrestler can be demoted if he doesn’t keep his average up. Once attaining the position of Yokozuna, however, there are no demotions. Unlike other contact sports with only one defending champion, sumo can have several Yokozuna competing in a tournament at the same time. There has been as many as four at one time and subsequently there have been tournaments when there were none.
Yokozuna Asashoryu hits the ground losing his chance to win another tournament
With Hakuho’s promotion, there are now two active Yokozuna which the sumo world hasn’t seen in over three years.
Sumo was once primarily a Japanese-only sport and the idea of a foreign Yokozuna was simply out of the question even when foreign wrestler began competing. Now there are more than 60 foreign wrestlers in the world of sumo. Another strong contender for the title of Yokozuna is Bulgarian wrestler Kotooshu (Mahlyanov Kaloyan Stefanov).
Fans throw cushions whenever a Yokozuna is defeated by a non-Yokozuna
Currently there are six other Mongolians in sumo’s top division - Kublai Khan’s vision finally coming to a realization, in sumo at least.
A Yokozuna in the making?
Finally here is a video of the cushions flying as Asashoryu is konocked out of the running during the last tournament.
Ok I know… But before anyone tells me to grow up, I just wanted to say that as immature as it is to poke fun at images that ‘look’ like something else, sometimes you just have to let go and give in to that inner child of stupidness…
Sumo’s grand champion Asashoryu, right (or under) is driven out of the ring from behind by fellow Mongolian Tokitenku during their bout on the opening day of the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament at Osaka. Photo courtesy of AP Photo/Kyodo News
Flanked by his wife Tamir, left, and stable master Takasago, grand champion Asashoryu of Mongolia shows off a porgy, the main dish for a traditional Japanese congratulatory banquet, to celebrate his 20th Emperor’s Cup at his Takasago Sumo Stable.
Every wonder what the well-dressed sumo wrestler wears when he finally does put something on?
Many thanks to Francis Turner.
Here’s something about baseball and sumo and Japanese-speaking skills among foreign athletes in Japan. I am sure Mike Plugh and others will find Mark Schreiber’s article in the Japan Times very interesting.
Regarding the language abilities of foreign baseball players, Marty Kuehnert, Team Adviser for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles in Sendai and longtime sports columnist says: “Ball players come here for the money, not for a cultural experience. Japan is almost never home for them. They all want to go back to the Major Leagues, if they could make it there, but some have to be content with the money here.
“Sumo rikishi, on the other hand, are coming here to enter a new profession. They are committed to learning that profession and staying here as long as they can, without any significant breaks to go home. They have no interpreters and they have to learn Japanese to survive, so they do.”
After finding an unlocked door in Osaka, a Japanese burglar got more than he bargained for, much more.
While rummaging about the room in the early hours of the morning, the burglar was confronted by sumo wrestler, Dewanosato, who squeezed him in a bear-hug. Then Dewanosato hollered to awake his fellow sumo wrestler buddies.
The burglar later said to police, “First I was caught by a massive man. When the lights turned on, I was surrounded by more than a dozen sumo wrestlers.”
Being arrested by sumo wrestlers would be more than scary. They may be nice guys but thier size and stregth is more than enough to reduce any man to mindless obedience. Being squeezed to death is much worse than simply being handcuffed.
Maybe it would be a good idea for Japanese police to start a sort of ‘Sumo Brigade’. Their presence would stop any would-be criminal in his tracks. But then again, maybe the police wouldn’t like this idea. If sumo wrestlers were on the force, they’d surley stretch donut supplies very thin.
Submitted by Shay, who blogs at Spark Plugged about pretty much any aspect of Asian pop entertainment, plus technology, news, and more.
Up-and-coming Bulgarian Kotooshu virtually clinches promotion to ozeki (Champion) with a stunnning defeat of yokozuna (Grand Champion) Asashoryu of Mongolia during their match Friday at the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
