Tag - sumo

 
 

SUMO

Onosato shoves out Mitakeumi on Sunday in Tokyo to continue his perfect run at the Autumn Basho. At 192-centimeters-tall and 177 kilograms, Onosato may be neither the tallest nor the heaviest wrestler in the makuuchi division, but he is very close to the top in each of those two categories.
SUMO
Sep 18, 2024
Onosato’s meteoric rise is stunning — but not surprising
Well on his way to ozeki, for Onosato, further promotion to yokozuna has become a question of when, not if.
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.
Onosato will have his sights set on sumo's second-highest rank as the Autumn Basho gets underway Sunday.
SUMO
Sep 6, 2024
Onosato poised to shine at Autumn Basho with ozeki rank in sight
The fact that nine wins in Onosato's sekiwake debut in July was seen by some as disappointing tells you all you need to know about sumo’s hottest wrestler.
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.
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.
Yuzuki Komiya (left) competes in the first national high school sumo tournament for girls in Tachikawa, western Tokyo, on Saturday.
SUMO
Aug 14, 2024
Women's sumo takes big step forward with first high school championships
Athletes from all over the country took part in the historic meet, with many expressing hope that the tournament would lead to greater exposure for women’s sumo.
Gold medalist Nao Kusaka celebrates after winning the men's 77-kg Greco-Roman event at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday.
OLYMPICS
Aug 8, 2024
How wrestler Nao Kusaka used sumo to win Olympic gold
A timid and kind-hearted boy, Kusaka reached the top by developing resilient legs in the sumo ring and fully dedicating himself to his craft.
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 accepts the Emperor's Cup after winning the Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament on Sunday.
SUMO
Jul 28, 2024
Terunofuji rebounds from stumbles to claim milestone 10th Emperor’s Cup
Thanks to a series of stumbles by the previously imperious yokozuna, the destination of the title was not decided until a playoff in the tournament’s final bout.
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.
Summer Basho winner Onosato is trying to join Terunofuji as the only wrestlers to win consecutive titles since 2018.
SUMO
Jul 12, 2024
Onosato poised to continue rapid rise at Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament
The 24-year-old former amateur yokozuna has been on fire since turning pro 14 months ago and already stands on the verge of promotion to sumo’s second-highest rank.
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.
Otowayama stable wrestlers in front of their stable. It may come as a surprise to some, but the use of ring names between wrestlers in the same stable isn’t all that common.­
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 12, 2024
Burning questions (and their answers) new fans may have about sumo
The slow month of June is as good a time as any for our columnist to answer some of the fan questions that crop up with regularity.
Christina Griffin-Jones was a big part of a historically strong U.S. women's team at the 2023 Sumo World Championships.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 5, 2024
American sumo organization becomes battleground in fight for equality
At the heart of the fight is growing opposition to a longtime federation trustee who has not been shy about expressing his homophobic views.
Onosato receives the Emperor's Cup from Japan Sumo Association Chairman Hakkaku at Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo on Sunday.
SUMO / Inside Sumo
May 29, 2024
Onosato's path to sumo greatness was plain for all to see
Sumo’s latest top division champion tore through the collegiate and amateur circuits at an almost unprecedented clip.
Onosato (right) defeats Abi during their bout at the Spring Grand Sumo Tournament in Osaka in March.
SUMO
May 10, 2024
Onosato in position to use Summer Basho as springboard to stardom
The race for glory in the upcoming meet appears destined to be led by two men who have yet to win the Emperor’s Cup.
Wrestlers prepare for the start of a bout at the 2023 Sumo World Championships in Tokyo. Starting this month, placing one hand on the clay first is no longer allowed.
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 24, 2024
For amateur sumo, a fresh start offers hope against time-wasting and gamesmanship
Among the measures is an emphasis on wrestlers putting both hands down at the same time, with punishments including disqualification for noncompliance.

Longform

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