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SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 13, 2018

Byzantine rules govern sumo's name shares

Tochinoshin's promotion to ozeki comes with many perks. Most are connected to his life as an active wrestler, such as a boost in salary and parking privileges.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / Japan Pulse
Sep 30, 2009

What's in the cards for the future of sumo?

Relying on the tried-and-test cute formula, the beleaguered sumo association rolls out 'sekitori-kun,' a series of chicken little mascots.
SUMO
Sep 18, 2019

Sumo 101: 'Dragons'

There are many ways of classifying rikishi and discussing those groups' various merits.
SUMO
Jan 22, 2019

Sumo 101: Keshō-mawashi

One of the first orders of business for a rikishi promoted to sumo's second-highest division (jūryō) is getting a keshō-mawashi (ceremonial apron-style belt).
Japan Times
SUMO
Nov 11, 2018

Sumo 101: Shonichi

The first day of the basho brings plenty of optimism — and ceremony — for competing wrestlers.
Japan Times
SUMO
Sep 9, 2018

Sumo 101: The Ring

Sumo tournaments take place on a raised ring called a dohyo. The kanji characters for dohyo (土俵) literally translate as clay and rice straw bales — the two materials the ring is made of.
SUMO / Rikishi Files
Jan 17, 2020

Former yokozuna Kitanoumi was imposing figure in sumo

Intimidation factor is something that cannot be discounted when it comes to finding reasons for success in sumo.
SUMO
Jan 27, 2019

Sumo 101: Special prizes

The Emperor's Cup isn't the only prize awarded on the final day of a sumo tournament.
SUMO
Jan 15, 2019

Sumo 101: Banzuke

All professional sumo wrestlers are listed on a 58x44 cm sheet of paper that is released about two weeks before the start of each tournament.
SUMO
Nov 16, 2018

Sumo 101: Kensho

One of the defining sights of a sumo tournament is the parade of brightly colored kensho banners around the ring before the highest- ranked wrestlers fight.
SUMO
Jan 14, 2019

Sumo 101: Sanyaku

Sanyaku is the collective noun for the three ranks below yokozuna.
CULTURE / TV & Streaming / CHANNEL SURF
Feb 6, 2015

Sumo tournament; "The Eternal Zero"; CM of the week: GlaxoSmithKline

If you like sumo but think the two-week basho schedule is too much, then check out "Nihon Ozumo Tournament Dai-Sanjukyu-kai Taikai" ("39th Japan Grand Sumo Tournament"; Fuji TV, Sun., 4:05 p.m.), which compresses the whole thing into a 90-minute event.
SUMO
Jul 8, 2019

Sumo 101: Charismatic rikishi

One of sumo's most defining features is the stoicism of its wrestlers.
Sponsored Content
Nov 19, 2019

Sumo Special

Introducing the latest information on the SUMO KYUSHU BASHO.
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.
SUMO
Jul 1, 2021

Nagoya Basho could have significant impact on sport

Sumo lovers in central Japan will see their sport return with a bang, as the upcoming tournament is primed to be one of the most significant in recent memory.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 24, 2023

Ex-ozeki Tochinoshin's retirement a heavy blow for European sumo

In addition to being a fan favorite and a well-liked rikishi inside the sport, Tochinoshin’s presence ensured sumo’s continued popularity in the Caucasus region.
COMMUNITY
Jan 26, 2003

Whether crisis or not, sumo's show must go on

Of all the crises that the institution of sumo is said to be confronting -- and there are many -- yokozuna (grand champion) Takanohana's announcement last Monday of his retirement is being regarded by some as particularly ominous.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 2, 2018

Ancient banzuke adds human touch to sumo

"I can't do this for 10 years. I want to have a normal job. I want to live in a normal house. I want to eat normal food. I want to live a normal life."
JAPAN
Jun 26, 2010

Can sumo survive stain of gambling? It's anyone's bet

The recent admissions by dozens of sumo wrestlers and stablemasters of engaging in illegal, underworld-linked gambling has sent the ancient sport's image, already dogged by scandals, to the mat.
Japan Times
SUMO
Apr 19, 2009

Hakuho remains student of sumo despite success

Mongolian yokozuna Hakuho says his style of sumo is nothing special.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY
Dec 14, 2003

Shooting gallery aimed at sumo

On the other side of the Sumida River from Nihonbashi is Ryogoku, the undisputed center of the sumo world. Popular ways for a visitor to experience the character of the area include watching one of the three annual Tokyo basho (tournaments) at the Kokugikan (Sumo Stadium), joining some of the wrestlers...
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 8, 2022

Wrestlers with amateur backgrounds becoming new normal in sumo

These days elite top-tier wrestlers without an amateur background are an increasingly scarce sight.
With IG Arena getting glowing early reviews as the Nagoya Basho’s replacement venue, it may be a while before fans wax nostalgic about the Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
Jul 9, 2025

New IG Arena set to dial down temperature at Nagoya Basho, in a good way

Modern cooling infrastructure will likely have few sumo fans wishing for a return to the hot and muggy Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium.
Stablemaster Oshima (left) congratulates Kyokushuzan on his promotion to the the jūryō division in 1995.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 23, 2024

Former ozeki Asahikuni, also a trailblazing stablemaster, dies at age 77

In 1992, the stablemaster recruited six young Mongolian men into his stable, creating a lasting connection between sumo and the central Asian nation.
Kazuki Paul Tsuyukusa with his dog Sunny in Fukuoka
COMMUNITY / Our Lives / 20 QUESTIONS
Sep 9, 2023

Kazuki Paul Tsuyukusa: 'It’s better to live without being noticed everywhere.’

A former rikishi, Kazuki Paul Tsuyukusa has swapped his sumo stable for the life of a salaryman.
SUMO
Oct 26, 2023

Takakeisho heads to Kyushu Basho with yokozuna promotion in sight

The 27-year-old has put himself in line for elevation to the sport’s highest rank following the upcoming Kyushu meet.

Longform

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