Tag - inside-sumo

 
 

INSIDE SUMO

Japan’s national sport made its second foray into Western Europe, and first to the U.K., with a five-day tournament at London’s historic Royal Albert Hall in October 1991.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 11, 2024
London calling: Sumo's U.K. trip brings back memories of 1991
Such was sumo’s popularity in the U.K. in the late '80s and early '90s that all five days at the 5,000-seat Royal Albert Hall sold out quickly.
Shun Ikeda holds the trophy after winning his second consecutive amateur yokozuna title on Sunday at Tokyo’s Ryogoku Kokugikan.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 4, 2024
Lightning strikes twice for Shun Ikeda at All Japan Championships
Ikeda, now a corporate worker, has completed the rare feat of winning back-to-back amateur "yokozuna" titles.
Hoshoryu (right) defeats Wakatakakage at the Fukuoka International Center on Thursday, Day 5 of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 20, 2024
Ozeki lead the way in Kyushu, but title contenders abound
Hoshoryu, in particular, has been impressive, seeming like he is finally living up to his undoubted potential.
Onosato (above) defeats Hiradoumi on the first day of the Kyushu Basho in Fukuoka on Sunday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 13, 2024
The good, the bad and the sumo: Kyushu Basho gets underway
To no one’s surprise, new ozeki Onosato continues to tear through the top division with ease.
Aonishiki competes at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Jan. 28.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 6, 2024
Head to sumo's second tier and it's a dog-eat-dog world
Jūryō action is something fans of exciting sumo shouldn’t miss.
Onosato pushes out Hoshoryu during the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo last month.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 30, 2024
Onosato hogs spotlight, but there are big changes in latest sumo ranks
With his name writ large as ozeki on the latest banzuke, sumo’s hottest ticket took another step toward what looks like a procession to yokozuna.
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.
Australian Giselle Shaw, 18, competes at the All-Japan Women's Sumo Championships in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, on Sunday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 16, 2024
Foreign wrestlers add international flair to All Japan Women’s Sumo Championships
From an experienced world champion down to a teen looking to make her mark, the tournament in Kyoto Prefecture showcased a wide range of talent.
Shonannoumi hits the dirt at the hands of Kotozakura during a bout in Tokyo in May. Shonannoumi is among the many top wrestlers who have dropped out of this month's regional tour due to injury.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 9, 2024
Spate of sumo tour dropouts highlights need to rethink wrestlers' health
While it would be foolish not to capitalize on sumo’s surging popularity, expanded tour schedules cut into recovery time and push wrestlers to their physical limits.
Takakeisho during a one-day tournament at Kokugikan in Tokyo in February 2020
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 25, 2024
As Onosato dominates the spotlight, former sumo stars exit the stage
Takakeisho, who announced his retirement last week, was must-watch TV for virtually all of his 6½ years in sumo's top division.
Kotozakura (left) defeats Tobizaru in a controversial finish to their bout on Day 3 of the Autumn Basho in Tokyo on Tuesday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 11, 2024
Thrilling bouts — and controversy — have Autumn Basho off to hot start
Often the first three days of a sumo tournament see little more than jockeying for position, but not this tournament.
A sumo referee performs the dohyō matsuri, or ring purification ceremony, in January 2017 at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 5, 2024
No talking, no eating, no standing: Inside sumo's ring purification ceremony
Spectators are required to stay seated for its duration, and refrain from using flash when taking photos.
Nicholas Tarasenko trains at Minato stable in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture, on Tuesday. Tarasenko’s potential in sumo was made obvious when he won U18 gold in the 90-kg weight class at the 2023 Baruto Cup in Estonia despite being four years under the age limit and having only had a total of one hour of sumo training before the meet.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 28, 2024
This English schoolboy has big dreams of becoming yokozuna — and more
Nicholas Tarasenko may only be 15 years old, but he is already making big plans for his burgeoning sumo career.
Kotozakura (left) defeats Terunofuji at Dolphins Arena in Nagoya on July 28.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 21, 2024
NFL-style changes sumo could and should make
Many of the sport’s centuries-old systems and methodologies are an increasingly awkward fit in the modern world.
Wrestlers battle during the national women's championships in Osaka in 2018. Amateur sumo is a great way to experience the sport for tourists who are unable to get tickets to professional tournaments.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 8, 2024
No sumo tickets? No problem. Here are some other ways to take in the sport.
Japan’s ongoing tourism boom has resulted in a year-round influx of people interested in experiencing the country’s national sport.
An event that was part of a regional sumo tour in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, in April 2019.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 1, 2024
Summer sumo tour may be tough for wrestlers, but it's a boon for fans
Grueling tours can be quite taxing for top pros, but they offer fans in small cities a rare chance of seeing their heroes up close.
Terunofuji (left) throws down Kirishima on Tuesday to build on his perfect record at the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 24, 2024
Terunofuji, as he tends to do, returns to stamp his authority on sumo pretenders
The veteran was in vintage form through the first 10 days, simply overwhelming opponents and appearing impervious to all manner of attacks.
Dolphins Arena in Nagoya. While the new IG Arena will almost certainly provide a more enjoyable experience for fans, the hope is that action on the raised ring will retain the heat that Dolphins Arena has long been famous for.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 10, 2024
A farewell to a Nagoya sumo arena known for heat — inside and outside the ring
The upcoming Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament will be the last to be held at Dolphins Arena, which has been the scene of numerous memorable moments over the years.
Onosato (left) participates in a training session last month in Ami, Ibaraki Prefecture.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 3, 2024
Nagoya ranking list marks the end of one sumo era and the start of another
This month marks the final sumo tournament for Nagoya's Dolphins Arena, and the rankings list could look very different when the new venue opens next year.
Oshoma watches the All Japan Championships at the Kokugikan in Tokyo in December 2022.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 26, 2024
Rising star Oshoma blends traditional background with unique approach
Despite his late arrival in sumo’s higher ranks, it would be wrong to dismiss Oshoma's impressive 10-win top-tier debut.

Longform

People in cities across Japan will pop into their local convenience store for any number of products they believe will help them with a night of drinking.
Hangover cures are everywhere in Japan — but do they work?