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November 13, 2025
 

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INSIDE SUMO

SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 10, 2021
Spring Basho's Tokyo relocation a loss for Kansai-area sumo fans
Even though the March tournament will go ahead this year, the fact that it will be in Tokyo rather than Osaka means the annual event will be missing some of its trademarks.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Feb 3, 2021
Interesting facts about sumo's 13 living former yokozuna
With the passing of Tochinoumi on Jan. 29 there are now just 15 surviving active or retired yokozuna.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 27, 2021
Fake news becoming real issue for foreign sumo fans
Online information about sumo has increasingly been falling victim to many of the same issues that plague mainstream news.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 20, 2021
Shocking concussion incident should be wake-up call for sumo
The indifference shown by referees to the head injury sustained by third-tier wrestler Shonannoumi on Tuesday drew criticism from fans and journalists alike.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 13, 2021
Sumo stables deserve more scrutiny after wrestler's shock retirement
The decision by Kotokantetsu to leave the sport rather than risk infection with the coronavirus at the New Year Basho has resulted in a wave of outrage against the Japan Sumo Association.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jan 8, 2021
New Year Basho arrives with yokozuna absent and virus concerns rising
The first grand tournament of 2021 is scheduled to begin Sunday despite the announcement of a state of emergency in parts of the greater Tokyo area.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 23, 2020
Hidden gems await fans who dig deep into sumo's lower divisions
The sport's second and third ranks offer a chance to see both rising stars and wily veterans engaged in the sort of exciting bouts that are sometimes rare in the top level.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 16, 2020
American rikishi recalls extremely wild times in sumo world
Details on the now 71-year-old's career had been lost to the mists of time until the California native resurfaced in sumo circles online in recent months.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 9, 2020
NSSU freshman Hidetora Hanada emerges to claim amateur yokozuna title
The Nippon Sports Science University student overcame a talent-studded field at Sunday's All Japan Sumo Championships, the country's top amateur sumo tournament.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 2, 2020
Chiganoura Beya had unique, eventful existence
Opened in 2004, by former sekiwake Masudayama, Chiganoura Beya grabbed the interest of many sumo observers right off the bat for a number of unique moves.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 25, 2020
Takakeisho's rise, Terunofuji's rebound? Thrills await fans in 2021
Professional sumo closed out the thrill ride that was 2020 with one final flourish.
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
Nov 11, 2020
Universities offer foreign wrestlers new path to pro sumo
Instead of struggling to land rare stable placements directly, foreigners are instead blazing a path to the pros through collegiate and amateur sumo.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 4, 2020
Sumo stables housed in older structures becoming rare sight
The demolition of the Izutsu Beya stable building, one of the more run-down in the sport, got underway Wednesday.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 28, 2020
Banzuke remains essential part of sumo culture
Distributed before each grand tournament, the hand-written rankings list has been a part of the sport's lore for centuries.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 21, 2020
Venerable Ryogoku Kokugikan has allowed sumo to successfully cope with pandemic
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 / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 14, 2020
Once-fearsome ozeki rank no longer sport's 'great barrier'
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
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
After managing a second basho with fans at Ryogoku Kokugikan, the Japan Sumo Association still faces a number of challenges going forward.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 23, 2020
Sumo experiencing extreme period of parity in final stages of Hakuho's legendary reign
With four former ozeki and an incredible ten wrestlers with championship experience still active in the top division, sumo is the very definition of parity right now.
From France to Mali, a deportee's struggle far from home
Moussa Sacko, a Malian deported from France — where he had lived since he was a young child — stands on a street in Bamako, Mali, in December. Compared with his home in France, Bamako feels like a different planet, Sacko said.
Tokyo ranked world’s richest city by GDP, with Osaka-Kobe also rated highly
Tokyo has a gross domestic product of $2.55 trillion, just ahead of New York’s $2.49 trillion and Greater Los Angeles’ $1.62 trillion, according to CEOWorld’s global wealth index.
Tokyo looks to keep ‘monster parents’ at bay with new protocols
New guidelines are addressing struggles by teachers to deal with the burden of parents who make irrational complaints that go beyond what is considered socially acceptable, often referred to as "monster parents," which is overwhelming their workload.
China delivers warning to U.S. and Japan with third aircraft carrier
The Fujian, China's third aircraft carrier, carries out sea trials at an unknown location in May last year.
Japan lawmakers eye firm response to Chinese envoy's threat to behead PM
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi speaks at a Lower House Budget Committee meeting on Friday.
Tatsuya Nakadai: A masterful leading man and postwar icon
Tatsuya Nakadai had the look of a leading man in his youth, but his large and searching eyes suggested the pain and loneliness of an old soul.
As Japan’s female leader rises, can she cross sumo’s sacred line?
Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku (front center) delivers a speech on the first day of the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament at the Fukuoka Kokusai Center on Sunday. Centuries of belief and tradition still underpin the all-male association's stance of excluding women.
Takaichi doesn’t mince words on Taiwan, but dramatic policy shift unlikely
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi responds to questions during a House of Representatives Budget Committee session in parliament on Tuesday.
Florist Nicolai Bergmann flourishes outside the box
Florist Nicolai Bergmann shops for fresh flowers at the Ota flower market in Tokyo on Friday.
China delivers warning to U.S. and Japan with third aircraft carrier
The Fujian, China's third aircraft carrier, carries out sea trials at an unknown location in May last year.

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