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John Gunning
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 9, 2019
Sumo attracts famous politicians seeking public affection, attention
U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to attend the final day of the upcoming Summer Grand Sumo Tournament.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 1, 2019
Pint-size Enho could shake up banzuke in Reiwa Era
The first banzuke (ranking) of the Reiwa Era was released on Tuesday with newly minted ozeki Takakeisho the standout promotion.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 24, 2019
U.S.-style draft opens world of possibilities for sumo
Sumo has no free agency.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 17, 2019
Peerless Anna Zhigalova dominates women's sumo
Hakuho's undefeated run in Osaka last month gave the yokozuna a 15th perfect championship and 42nd title overall.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 10, 2019
As basho sellouts continue, regional tour offers peek behind curtain
Within 90 minutes of going on sale, tickets for the upcoming Summer Grand Sumo Tournament were all snapped up.
JAPAN / Heisei Icons
Apr 4, 2019
Takanohana: The nail that sumo pounded down
In sumo's 2,000-year history, few men have been as steeped in the sport's traditions as Koji Hanada.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 3, 2019
New ozeki Takakeisho can draw strength from stable
Takakeisho is sumo's newest ozeki.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 27, 2019
Dominant Hakuho continues to redefine greatness
Sumo columnist James Hardy once bemoaned the difficulty of doing daily tournament reports, saying, "There are only so many ways to write A pushed out B."
SUMO
Mar 24, 2019
Sumo 101: Instant replay
One of sumo's most distinctive sights is its ringside judges.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 23, 2019
Sumo 101: Retired stablemasters
As with most top-level athletic endeavors, 30 seems to be the age when many rikishi either hang up their mawashi or see a noticeable decline in skills and performance.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 22, 2019
Sumo 101: Consistent losers
Ted Williams famously said, "Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of 10 and be considered a good performer."
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 21, 2019
Sumo 101: Could-have-beens
Sumo has no shortage of legends.
SUMO
Mar 20, 2019
Sumo 101: Bow-twirling ceremony
Every day of a sumo tournament concludes with a bow-twirling ceremony, called yumitori-shiki in Japanese.
SUMO
Mar 19, 2019
Sumo 101: Brothers in sumo
Normally, brothers in sumo can't fight one another.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 18, 2019
Sumo 101: College graduates in sumo
New entrants into the world of sumo generally fall into three groups.
SUMO
Mar 17, 2019
Sumo 101: Nicknames
All sumo wrestlers have a shikona (ring name).
SUMO
Mar 16, 2019
Sumo 101: Manga
Sumo is currently experiencing a boom in popularity overseas.
Japan Times
SUMO
Mar 15, 2019
Sumo 101: Closed stables
There are currently 46 heya (stables) in sumo.
SUMO
Mar 14, 2019
Sumo 101: Souvenirs
Sumo is a unique sport and its merchandising reflects that fact.
SUMO
Mar 13, 2019
Sumo 101: Sword bearers and dew sweepers
Every time a yokozuna performs the traditional ring-entering ceremony, he is flanked by two attendants.

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