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Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 22, 2018

English sumo broadcasts bring together diverse cast

In last week's column, I talked about overseas tours by the Japan Sumo Association and also mentioned the live sumo broadcasts with English commentary on NHK.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 20, 2018

Grueling training key to sumo transcendence

The sport of sumo manages to achieve with one circle what Dante Alighieri needed nine to describe.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 26, 2017

Emergence of new generation bodes well for Summer Basho

I was honored to be asked by The Japan Times to write a sumo column as part of the 120th anniversary revamp. This paper was probably the first place I read about sumo and was an invaluable source of news back in the days of dial-up internet, when I first came to Japan.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Mar 9, 2015

Will SMS be the undoing of sumo’s latest foreign ‘star’?

Sumo has a new superstar. Or at least that is what the individual in question appears to be thinking at the moment!
JAPAN
Feb 4, 2011

Three admit to throwing sumo bouts

Sports minister Yoshiaki Takaki told the Diet on Thursday that three people in the sumo world have admitted bout-fixing, further disgracing the Japan Sumo Association and jeopardizing its status as a certified public interest corporation.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Apr 20, 2010

Sumo association between a rock and a place

Sumo has been around in organized form for over 250 years. As a sport in which the rankings and most of the promotion/demotion rules and regulations have remained unchanged, sumo has just turned 100.
JAPAN / ALSO OUT THERE
Mar 8, 2008

Will 'good guy-bad guy' faceoff revive sumo?

The sacred sport of sumo boasts a history of 1,300 years, but recent scandals and undignified exploits of some of its champions are threatening to reduce its status to heresy.
SUMO
May 31, 2005

Sumo elder Futagoyama dies

Sumo elder Futagoyama, a former ozeki and the father of former grand champions Takanohana and Wakanohana, died of mouth cancer at a Tokyo hospital Monday, his family said. He was 55.
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / WHEN EAST MARRIES WEST
Jul 12, 2003

All's fair in love and sumo

Here's how my mind works . . .
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 12, 2023

Nagoya Basho roars back with early thrills and rocking atmosphere

With Terunofuji out, various promotion challenges figure to monopolize the headlines over the next 10 days.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 5, 2023

Heat is on for most anticipated Nagoya tournament in years

High temperatures combined with oppressive humidity and constant thunderstorms create a challenging environment for both rikishi and fans alike at the July Basho.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 11, 2023

Hoshoryu's recent rise may earn him a speedy promotion

Japan's national sport has been going through a period of flux over the past few years and is in desperate need of a new marquee name.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 27, 2022

Ichinojo's deserved first title rescues virus-struck Nagoya Basho

The Minato stable man's debut championship brought not only relief but genuine joy, as he is one of the most affable and likeable figures in Japan's national sport.
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.
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.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 2, 2021

Dual yokozuna promotion could join list of recent rare events in sumo

The possibility remains that ozeki Terunofuji and Takakeisho could both be offered the white rope depending on how results pan out at next month's Nagoya Basho.
SUMO
Mar 12, 2021

Hakuho eyes makuuchi milestone while Asanoyama seeks chance of promotion at Spring Basho

The tournament, which was relocated from Osaka to Tokyo to reduce the risk of COVID-19 infections, will be the first to feature a yokozuna since July.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 18, 2020

Popular rikishi Kotoshogiku and Gagamaru retire from sumo

Veteran ozeki Kotoshogiku hanging up his mawashi means there are now only four men in makuuchi still active who reached the sport's top division before the start of 2010.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 16, 2020

Are ozeki Asanoyama's struggles all in his head?

Called out by former yokozuna Asashoryu after a poor start to the Autumn Basho, the highly anticipated ozeki needs to clear his mind in order to reach sumo's top level.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 15, 2020

Asanoyama strong favorite to become sumo's next hot star

With the sport mostly at a standstill due to the coronavirus pandemic, the upcoming NFL Draft inspires Japan Times sumo columnist John Gunning to again consider his top rikishi selections.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 19, 2020

Sumo without American rikishi after Wakaichiro retires

Just like that, there are no American rikishi left in sumo.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 11, 2019

Joining sumo no easy task for foreign rikishi hopefuls

For young men with Japanese nationality, joining sumo can be as easy as knocking on a stable door, sending an email, or picking up the phone.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 4, 2018

Osunaarashi trying to navigate post-sumo life

Disgraced former top-division wrestler Osunaarashi appeared on a late-night variety show this week. Head freshly shaven, the big Egyptian hammed it up, participating in sumo bouts with veteran TV personality Bobby Ologun and erstwhile UFC heavyweight champion Josh Barnett.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 31, 2018

Hard work pays off for good guy Tochinoshin

Tochinoshin finally lifted the Emperor’s Cup on Sunday, 12 tumultuous years after joining the sumo world.

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