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John Gunning
For John Gunning's latest contributions to The Japan Times, see below:
Japan Times
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.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 8, 2021
All Japan tournament an optimistic indicator of a return to normal
Sunday's action at Ryogoku Kokugikan featured not only talented wrestlers with promising futures, but an upbeat atmosphere that hinted at a promising 2022 for the sport.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 1, 2021
Much more to come from yokozuna Terunofuji after stunning 2021
Just years removed from the unpaid ranks, the 30-year-old is on the path to becoming one of the most successful foreign-born grand champions in the sport's history.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 24, 2021
Terunofuji's challengers likely to emerge from amateur ranks
As the lone yokozuna attempts to wrap up his sixth Emperor's Cup in Fukuoka, this weekend's amateur championships may feature some of his potential successors.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 17, 2021
Lack of excitement threatens Kyushu Basho atmosphere
Despite the ongoing meet's seeming openness, there is a sense of inevitability about proceedings in Fukuoka that appears to be draining some of the energy out of the event.
Japan Times
SUMO
Nov 12, 2021
Yokozuna Terunofuji heading into Kyushu Basho with no equal in sight
With Hakuho retired, the Isegahama stable man has a golden chance to cement his own legacy.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 10, 2021
Despite sluggish attendance, Kyushu Basho boasts overwhelming charm
After a two-year absence, the return of professional sumo to Fukuoka offers a chance to reassess the grand tournament schedule's most unique host.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 3, 2021
One big name notably absent in November ranking of sumo wrestlers
For the first time in 14 years, the name of legend Hakuho Sho doesn't head up one side or the other of the banzuke's top row.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 27, 2021
Topknot-cutting ceremonies allow fans to participate in sumo history
With retirement ceremonies likely to resume in 2022, fans will have a chance to help send off a number of top wrestlers including former yokozuna Hakuho.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 20, 2021
Time is right for JSA to loosen grip on coveted sanshō awards
A reluctance by sumo officials to be more generous with the special prizes handed out at the end of each grand tournament has not gone unnoticed by fans or media in recent years.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 14, 2021
Sumo tegata hold intimate and unique place among sports memorabilia
For fans, there is an intimacy that comes with having the imprint of every line in a man's hand alongside his personal calligraphy on your wall.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 6, 2021
Early American sumo trailblazer earned rare honor at Miyagino stable
In the summer of 1976, high-school teacher John Jacques traveled to Japan in order to learn what he could and promote the sport's development in Hawaii.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 28, 2021
Hakuho leaves unmatchable legacy after 20 years of dominance
In submitting his retirement papers on Monday, the Mongolian-born yokozuna has brought an era-defining career of new records and unparalleled success to a close.
Japan Times
SUMO
Sep 27, 2021
Hakuho, sumo's record-setting yokozuna, to retire
The 36-year-old Mongolia-born wrestler had been considering retirement after failing to recover from a knee injury that has kept him out of tournaments in recent years.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 22, 2021
Uneventful Autumn Basho hints at sumo's slowing momentum
A growing lack of excitement toward the ongoing grand tournament is something sumo officials will want to take note of as they continue to guide the sport through the coronavirus pandemic.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 15, 2021
Lack of international streaming options hampers sumo's growth
While the Japan Sumo Association has made some progress on its online offerings, fans' inability to watch the sport overseas is a wasted opportunity for the sport to expand its audience.
Japan Times
SUMO
Sep 10, 2021
Door open for Terunofuji to celebrate yokozuna ascension with Emperor’s Cup at Autumn Basho
It was impossible not to marvel at how Terunofuji fought through the pain and reached the pinnacle of sumo's violent and harsh world while practically held together with duct tape.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 8, 2021
Tsukedashi shortcut helps amateur standouts climb pro sumo ranks
The system rewards strong performances in top amateur tournaments, allowing wrestlers to get a head start on the salaried rank of sekitori.
Japan Times
SUMO
Aug 18, 2021
Sumo makes its way to Cambridge as former U.S. wrestler studies sport's ancient role
Colton Runyan, 31, has gone from taking on Tobizaru and Daiamami in the ring to tackling ancient and abstruse Japanese texts in Cambridge's vast and sprawling library system.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 12, 2021
Olympics were a missed opportunity for sumo
Hakuho would have been an ideal candidate to represent Japan's national sport at the Games, but neither he nor anyone else was given that chance.

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