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3 Lessons Learned from the Summer Basho

1Rick — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:02:10 +0000

Harumafuji is Damn Good

Like, really good. It was great watching him work his way through the competition on the way to his first tournament win. As fellow Mongolian Asashoryu seems to be declining, Harumafuji looks to poised to fill the void. To go along with this impressive victory he is also keeping us entertained on his blog posting a photo after each win holding up fingers corresponding to his win total. Apparently blogging is a more acceptable hobby than soccer.

Hakuho is Mortal

After 33 straight wins Hakuho finally slipped up against Kotooshu on day 14. Granted he did post an impressive follow-up win versus Asashoryu the day after, but dropped another match in the subsequent playoff with Harumafuji for the championship. He’s still the best though no matter how boring and plain. And he’ll likely remain the best for the foreseeable future.

Chiyotaikai is a Jedi Master

Thanks to the guys over at Sumo Forum for pointing this out. But it looks as though Chiyotaikai, who was in danger of demotion in this tournament, has bounced back from the brink stronger than ever. His right hand seems to now wield a force that the sumo world has never before. Check it out for yourselves and let me know what you think. Nice dismount, Baruto…

http://www.2JPN.com

Sumo and Sakura

1Rick — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 23:59:57 +0000

The Osaka Basho has begun and sakura are beginning to blossom as if to mark the occasion. For any fellow gaijin readers out there making an effort to figure out what all this sumo fuss is about, I’ve put together a few English language resources that should make things a little clearer as you watch. I especially urge you to browse the banzuke, which is a list of all rikishi (listed by name, rank, and hometown) that was released prior to the tournament.
If you have any resources that you’d like to suggest, please add them in the comments.

Personally, I’ll be watching this basho very closely since I have a bit of a bet going with my father-in-law. He’s a huge Hakuho fan, which is understandable because he’s very much in favor of keeping the old traditions of sumo. As such, he doesn’t especially like the eccentric badboy Asashoryu (see my last post for more on that). Now I enjoy watching both of these guys, but I find myself strangely rooting for Asa because I think it’s kind of a shame that so many people hate him. Sure, he’s a bit of a spectacle (a cruder man than me might even call him a jackass), but you gotta admire anyone that continues to succeed in the midst of so much hating. I hear he has some fans down in Osaka though, so this might bode well for Asashoryu in this particular tournament.

Having said all that I have to admit that Hakuho, at 24 years of age, is likely the future of sumo. He’s a little bit of a leaner model of sumo machine and, even though he’s had a ton of success so far, his best days are likely ahead of him if his body type is any indication. Fatter wrestlers tend to burn out earlier, while “fitter” sumo (like the legendary Chiyonofuji for example) can perform exceptionally well even after hitting the age of thirty.

So I’ll root for the older Asashoryu (28) for now, even if it puts me at risk with the in-laws. I expect I’ll have plenty of time to catch the Hakuho bandwagon in the years to come.

http://www.2JPN.com

Sumo Celebrations: Nothing to get excited about

1Rick — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:18:50 +0000

When Asashoryu beat fellow Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho in the last sumo bashi, his delight was plastered all over his face. As he walked away from the dohyo he raised his arms in victory, obviously overcome with the emotion of such an important and hard-fought win. Such overt celebration is new to sumo, where rikishi have traditionally been expected to keep their emotions in check. Not surprisingly, there are many who say that Asashoryu’s celebration was inappropriate and offends the two thousand-year-old history of the sport.
It was a brief flash of humanity in an other wise stoic battle. Yes, sumo is about respect, and participants should make every effort not to disrespect their opponents after defeating them. That said, if a great champion like Asashoryu wants to raise his arms in victory after all that he’s been through, I suggest that sumo fans also make an effort to show some respect themselves and let him enjoy the moment. Luckily there are many in Japan who agree with me and feel that such emotional displays might actually be good for Japan’s national sport which has been waning in popularity in recent years. Hideyuki Yamate, of Mainichi Shimbun, wisely says that “As long as a wrestler takes the spirit of sumo to heart and does not forget to respect his opponent, it is refreshing to see an honest expression of delight.”

Refreshing indeed. Such excitement might be just what the doctor ordered to help overcome a number of daunting challenges that sumo currently faces. A recent marijuana problem has prompted the JSA to approve new drug testing regulations for the ancient sport. But far more serious than a little pot, of course, was the recent killing of a young wrestler by his stablemates. Such a tragedy certainly puts trivial stuff like celebrating a win or a smoking few Js into proper perspective.

Now from the point of view of a gaijin like myself, one can’t help but be think that Asashoryu’s celebration pales in comparison to some of the antics of American athletes. It’s not even close to a Tiger Woods fist pump, let alone some of the more notorious show-offs like Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson in American Football.

Take it from me, Asa is doing just fine for now. Call me when he celebrates a victory with a Beyonce dance like Warren Sapp did. Then we can all start worrying.

http://www.2JPN.com