The Nihon Sumo Kyokai — the Japanese Sumo Association — recently announced it is once again considering an overseas jaunt. Destination this time? Sin City — Las Vegas, Nevada. Again!
Exactly why the sumo association has again opted for an American city to host one of their all too rare overseas tours is a mystery.
Coming just prior to trips to Hawaii (2007) and Los Angeles (2008), the previous 2005 visit to Las Vegas was, admittedly, a great success, but in the eyes of many, it was only about bringing in the dollars. For most attending the event at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino Center, sumo's appearance on the same Strip as the likes of Tom Jones and Joan Rivers was little more than a gimmick. The results were predictable to say the least, generating little of the focus and intensity that attracts so many to the sport in Japan was seen, and for many it turned into more of an autograph hunt coupled with a photo-op than anything else.