Sumo
New ozeki Shodai among headliners for intriguing November Basho
The tournament, normally held in Fukuoka, will be the third straight held at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan to limit travel during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Sumo | INSIDE SUMO
Venerable Ryogoku Kokugikan has allowed sumo to successfully cope with pandemic
by John Gunning
Possessing its own full-size arena has allowed the Japan Sumo Association to easily switch tournaments scheduled for other cities to its home base in Tokyo.
Sumo
Sumo elder criticizes China's ban on Mongolian-language education
Arashio, a retired sumo wrestler and current stablemaster who hails from China’s Inner Mongolia region, has spoken out against Beijing's decision to install Mandarin Chinese as the language of instruction ...
Sumo Oct 20, 2020
The Japan Sumo Association said Monday it will host up to around 5,000 fans at the November Grand Sumo Tournament, about half of the full capacity at Tokyo's Ryogoku Kokugikan. The JSA decided to raise the 2,500-spectator limit that had been in effect at the ...
Sumo Oct 15, 2020
Although diminutive by sumo standards, the makuuchi division's Tobizaru, whose ring name means "flying monkey," nearly defied the odds last month to become the first wrestler in 106 years to win the Emperor's Cup in his top-division debut. The 28-year-old out of Oitekaze stable made ...
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Oct 14, 2020
Once-fearsome ozeki rank no longer sport's 'great barrier'
by John Gunning
Wrestlers in sumo's second-highest rank have struggled to emulate the success of their peers in previous generations.
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Oct 7, 2020
Sumo fans have plenty to look forward to in coming weeks
by John Gunning
There are many aspects of Japan’s national sport that should give hope for the future.
Sumo | INSIDE SUMO Sep 30, 2020
JSA pulls off another successful tournament in COVID-19 era
by John Gunning
After managing a second basho with fans at Ryogoku Kokugikan, the Japan Sumo Association still faces a number of challenges going forward.
Sumo Sep 30, 2020
Shodai, who won his first makuuchi division title in the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, was promoted to the second-highest rank of ozeki on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Japanese fighting out of the Tokitsukaze stable becomes the first newly promoted ozeki since Asanoyama in March and the ...
Sumo Sep 28, 2020
Shodai beat rookie Tobizaru on the final day of the Autumn tournament to clinch his first makuuchi division title with a 13-2 record.
Basho Reports Sep 27, 2020
After falling short of the finish line in recent tournaments, the sekiwake stepped up to hold off upstart rookie Tobizaru and claim the championship at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Sumo / Basho Reports Sep 26, 2020
Shodai (12-2) battered Asanoyama (10-4) with an opening shoulder blast, then spun the powerfully built ozeki sideways before pushing him down at the edge.