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John Gunning
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 19, 2019
Retirement ceremonies often full of emotion
It's no secret that difficulty in procuring tickets is one of the main hurdles preventing overseas visitors from being able to watch sumo in person.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 12, 2019
Predicting next yokozuna a formidable task
When veteran sumo journalists get together and the conversation turns, as it inevitability does, to up-and-coming wrestlers, talk is rarely of who will be the next yokozuna.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 5, 2019
Amateur tourneys offer window to sport's future stars
Asanoyama is sumo's latest champion.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 29, 2019
Trump's basho visit boosts sumo's reputation overseas
U.S. President Donald Trump's attendance at the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament, and presentation of a large trophy to its winner, made headlines around the globe.
Japan Times
SUMO
May 26, 2019
Sumo 101: Sumo and singing
Though sumo and song may not seem obvious bedfellows, Japan's national sport has musical connections both varied and historical.
SUMO
May 25, 2019
Sumo 101: Controversial decisions
Friday's controversial overturning of an apparent Tochinoshin win has people up in arms.
SUMO
May 24, 2019
Sumo 101: Mongolians
Sumo might be Japan's national sport, but for most of the last two decades it has been dominated by Mongolians.
Japan Times
SUMO
May 23, 2019
Sumo 101: Yobidashi (ring announcers)
The busiest men in sumo are the yobidashi (ring announcers).
SUMO
May 22, 2019
Sumo 101: Large rikishi
The first thing that comes to mind when people think of sumo is the size of the participants.
SUMO
May 21, 2019
Sumo 101: Small rikishi
Sumo has no weight classes.
SUMO
May 20, 2019
Sumo 101: Cancellations
Sumo tournaments are rarely canceled.
SUMO
May 19, 2019
Sumo 101: Tachiai
One of the first words every new sumo fan learns is tachiai.
Japan Times
SUMO
May 18, 2019
Sumo 101: Endorsements
One of the unique aspects of sumo's attire is a lack of associated wearable merchandise.
Japan Times
SUMO
May 17, 2019
Sumo 101: Online sumo games
Fantasy football is a multi-billion dollar business with millions of participants.
SUMO
May 16, 2019
Sumo 101: Injuries
One of the most surprising aspects of sumo for first-time watchers is the sheer violence of the sport.
SUMO
May 15, 2019
Sumo 101: Americans in sumo
There are two rikishi from the United States of America in sumo currently.
Japan Times
SUMO
May 14, 2019
Sumo 101: Impact of tourism
Sumo's popularity abroad has exploded over the past few years.
SUMO
May 13, 2019
Sumo 101: Amateur sumo
What do Takakeisho, Tochinoshin and Mitakeumi have in common, apart from recently becoming first-time winners of the Emperor's Cup?
SUMO
May 12, 2019
Sumo 101: Ichimon
Sumo's family unit is the stable.
SUMO
May 9, 2019
Kakuryu emerges as clear favorite to capture title
Gambling on sumo, like most sports in Japan, is illegal.

Longform

Members of the nonprofit group Japan Youth Memorial Association search for the remains of dead soldiers in a cave in Okinawa Prefecture in February.
The long search for Japan’s lost soldiers