John Gunning - The Japan Times

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John Gunning

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Apr 27, 2022

Balanced Summer Basho banzuke offers few reasons for complaint

With the current top-division hierarchy well established, fans in search of the unexpected may have to look down to the third-division makushita.

Japan Times

SUMO

Apr 20, 2022

Sumo's doors open for college stars but closing for foreign hopefuls

University sumo clubs regularly churn out talent capable of reaching the paid ranks, but fewer foreigners are entering the sport outside of powerhouse Mongolia.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Apr 13, 2022

Prestigious University of Tokyo may claim its first sumo wrestler

Hotaka Suyama could become the school's first graduate to enter the world of u014dzumo when he takes the Japan Sumo Association's entrance exam.

Japan Times

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Apr 6, 2022

Return of Hakuho Cup a positive development for aspiring wrestlers

For more than a decade, the tournament for elementary school students has offered overseas teams a chance to compete against some of Japan's top programs and interact with the sport's stars.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Mar 30, 2022

Wakatakakage continues sumo's surprise-champion trend

The spring meet of 2022 has continued a trend of photo finishes and thrilling tournaments.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Mar 23, 2022

Takayasu chases long-awaited first title at unpredictable Osaka Basho

With yokozuna Terunofuji out and most of the leading pack in Osaka having never tasted glory at a basho, the chances of a first-time title winner emerging in Kansai appear high.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Mar 16, 2022

'COVID factor' wreaks havoc on stormy Spring Basho

Unpredictability reigns at Edion Arena Osaka so far, with the impact of February's wave of infections possibly affecting performances.

SUMO

Mar 11, 2022

Osaka-style upset back on the table for Spring Basho

Starved of sumo for so long, it's unlikely fans in Kansai will care whether we see dominance by the yokozuna as usual or a reclaiming of the basho's stormy reputation.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Mar 9, 2022

Former amateur yokozuna Hidetora Hanada shifts gears toward NFL dream

The Nippon Sport Science University student impressed in a recent X League combine and will attempt to leave his mark on the gridiron before taking on the world of professional sumo.

Japan Times

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Mar 2, 2022

Meet sumo's globe-trotting ambassador

Watts has been a prominent figure in sumo for over 30 years and since the 1990s has been a mainstay at World Championships, where she undertakes numerous roles.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Feb 16, 2022

Hope rises for return of sumo's regional tours as pandemic abates

Jungyu014d events between major tournaments are not only sources of revenue for the Japan Sumo Association, but also an important means of promoting the sport and recruiting new wrestlers.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Feb 9, 2022

Omicron threatens to extend sumo's two-year absence from Osaka

Losing the spring tournament would be a huge blow to the sport's birthplace, but the spread of COVID-19 within sumo is making it a possibility.

Japan Times

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Feb 2, 2022

Sumo's off-months aren't so quiet, if you know where to look

Retirement ceremonies, ozeki and yokozuna promotions, JSA elections, TV variety show appearances and more all take place between honbasho.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Jan 26, 2022

Mitakeumi primed to shed ‘inconsistent’ image with historic ozeki promotion

Rather than solely benefiting from good timing and a weakened top division, Mitakeumi is arguably just now fulfilling the potential he has always had.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Jan 19, 2022

U.S. sumo fans get opportunity to see Japan's rising stars

Often considered de-facto world championship due to their high level of competition, the World Games give young talents a chance to shine ahead of their pro careers.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Jan 12, 2022

Sumo catches new audience with Pokemon collaboration

The Japan Sumo Association's tie-up with the world's biggest video game franchise could be a big step in attracting younger fans to the sport.

SUMO

Jan 7, 2022

Terunofuji enters New Year Basho with few serious challengers to throne

Anything other than a third straight championship for the Isegahama stable man at the upcoming January tournament would be a surprise.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Jan 5, 2022

'No starting over': A fresh year for sumo may be just like the last

Fears surrounding COVID-19 aren't the only thing unchanged from 2021, as it looks to be another Terunofuji-dominated year.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Dec 22, 2021

Sumo's 2022 storylines promise spectacle, but persistent COVID measures loom

Terunofuji's dominance is unlikely to be seriously challenged in 2022, but given his age and injury history it's possible we could start to see pretenders to his throne.

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO

Dec 16, 2021

Terunofuji's rise was among defining moments of eventful year in sumo

The past 12 months have been extremely challenging both inside and outside the ring, but sumo's highest highs and lowest lows of 2021 all occurred on the clay.

One of the many entrances to the Kabukicho neighborhood in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward.

Kabukicho: Tokyo’s ‘stadium of desire’

Visitors walk past Sou Fujimoto's Grand Ring, which has been recognized as the largest wooden structure in the world.

Can a World Expo still matter? Japan is about to find out.

By Tomoko Otake

SUSTAINABLE JAPAN

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

Tsukuba massif granite, one of the world’s few heritage stones

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