One of the most surprising aspects of sumo for first-time watchers is the sheer violence of the sport. Notions of cuddly pandas gently belly bouncing each other out of the ring get blown away when the first thunderclap of a harite (roundhouse head slap) echoes ...
Sumo's popularity abroad has exploded over the past few years. That's due in large part to recent changes making it possible to watch bouts in real time. A greater level of awareness of sumo has caused a spike in tourist demand for access to the sport. ...
Despite great expectations, Rui Hachimura faces big challenge in quantum leap to NBA
Rui Hachimura's decision to end his college career in hopes of making a splash in the world's premier basketball league caused quite a stir in his homeland, but Japanese fans must temper expectations for their ascendant star. After a stellar junior year at Gonzaga University, ...
Zeljko Pavlicevic making an impact with new coaching role in Libya
Zeljko Pavlicevic has never been shy about accepting bold challenges. He embraced the pressure of high-profile coaching jobs in Yugoslavia, Greece and Spain before setting foot in Japan in 2003 to lead the men's national team and plant the seeds of success for the future ...
Performance staff plays big role for Japan hoopsters
Right after the final buzzer, the TV camera momentarily caught head coach Julio Lamas giving a strong hug to athletic trainer Takeo Ichiyanagi after they helped accomplish a big feat in the Middle East in late February. Koichi Sato, the sports performance director for the ...
Rafael Arutunian says he never felt Yuzuru Hanyu was unbeatable
In the days following the world championships it is always interesting to hear the various takeaways that those in the skating community have. One of note came from Rafael Arutunian, the coach of world champion Nathan Chen. Arutunian was interviewed by the Russian website rsport.ria.ru ...
As one of four women hoping to represent Japan at the World Archery Championships, 16-year-old Waka Sonoda is right on target to make her Olympic dreams a reality. Having started her athletic career by chance after she visited a local archery range with her mother, ...
Future of Sunwolves in doubt after Super Rugby
Sunwolves CEO Yuji Watase put on a brave face last week despite clocking up air miles in the wake of the announcement his team would be not be part of the Super Rugby competition post 2020. The 56-year-old flew to Singapore from Tokyo on March ...
As new season begins, Kanoa Igarashi hoping to ride wave of momentum to 2020 Olympics
Surfer Kanoa Igarashi said he intends to ride the momentum of last season all the way to a ride at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics when the 2019 World Surf League's Men's Championship Tour begins next Wednesday in Australia with the Quiksilver Pro Gold Coast. "This ...
Central League clubs enter 2019 hoping to dethrone Carp
The following is the last of a two-part NPB preview ending with the 2019 Central League. In order of predicted finish: Yomiuri Giants Manager: Tatsunori Hara 2018 record: 67-71-5 (3rd) Yomiuri skipper Tatsunori Hara, back for a third stint with the team, has a roster with plenty of big ...
Sumo has no shortage of legends. From titanic yokozuna that dominated in the ring, to plucky underdogs that achieved far more than a lack of size would have seemed to allow, the sport has never lacked stars and celebrities. Indeed, yokozuna Hakuho, the man leading the ...
Sumo 101: Bow-twirling ceremony
Every day of a sumo tournament concludes with a bow-twirling ceremony, called yumitori-shiki in Japanese. A rikishi — normally from the makushita division — mounts the dohyo from the side of the winner of the final bout and is handed a traditional bamboo bow (minus ...
