JSA eager to use 2020 spotlight to call attention to sumo culture
The Japan Sumo Association is putting its considerable weight behind the 2020 Tokyo Games as it looks to use the international extravaganza to promote the country's national sport. On Tuesday at the famed Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, the JSA formally announced plans for Grand Sumo, ...
Stars throw soybeans in setsubun event at Naritasan Shinshoji temple
An annual bean-throwing event was held Monday at Naritasan Shinshoji, a major Buddhist temple in Narita, Chiba Prefecture, to mark setsubun, the day before the start of spring according to Japan's ancient calendar. On setsubun, people traditionally throw soybeans, chanting "oni wa soto" ("demons out") ...
Baruto overcame obstacles to become ozeki
In early 2004, two massive Estonians moved to Japan to join professional sumo. Ott Juurikas became a member of the Irumagawa stable but was complaining about feeling out of place almost immediately, and after just a single outing, he quit the sport and returned home. Juurikas ...
'Little Miss Sumo' wrestles with sexism in Japan's ancient sport
A young wrestler dubbed "Little Miss Sumo" is fighting sexism in the ancient Japanese sport, hoping to inspire other women to step into the ring and elevate sumo to Olympic status. Hiyori Kon is the focus of a new Netflix documentary, "Little Miss Sumo," which ...
Japan mourns former French leader and sumo superfan Jacques Chirac
When late French President Jacques Chirac departed a sumo arena in Osaka in 2005, the crowd gave him a standing ovation, applauding the superfan and chanting "Shiraku, Shiraku!" For many in Japan, the charismatic statesman will be remembered less for his Iraq War opposition or ...
Yokozuna Hakuho, a record 42-time sumo grand champion, has acquired Japanese citizenship after relinquishing his Mongolian nationality, an official government publication showed Tuesday. Although Japanese nationality is not required to compete in sumo, citizenship is necessary if a wrestler wishes to progress to become a ...
Abe's charm failed to sway Trump on North Korea
By creating so much daylight between himself and America's strongest ally in Asia, Trump weakens U.S. credibility and geopolitical strength in the region.
Sumo superfan to skip basho finale, saying tight security for Trump is an unwelcome distraction
When U.S. President Donald Trump arrives with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to take in live sumo wrestling on Sunday at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, security will be beefed up to its highest level — with bodyguards even on alert to protect the president ...
Sumo might be Japan's national sport, but for most of the last two decades it has been dominated by Mongolians. From November 2002, when Ulaanbaatar native Asashoryu won his first Emperor's Cup, to January 2016, when Kotoshogiku broke a 10-year title drought for Japan-born rikishi, ...
In late April, Japan Times sports-desk staff dropped in on a training session — called keiko or asageiko in Japanese — at Naruto Beya, a sumo stable in Sumida Ward established in 2017 by former ozeki Kotooshu. Here are a few of the highlights. Stablemaster ...
Trump may present trophy at Tokyo sumo tournament as officials weigh security concerns
Japan and the United States are considering a plan for U.S. President Donald Trump to present a trophy to the winner of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo in May, Japanese government sources have said. Trump is scheduled to visit Japan as a state ...
Takanohana: The nail that sumo pounded down
In sumo's 2,000-year history, few men have been as steeped in the sport's traditions as Koji Hanada.
