What's sumo? Never heard of it. Hey @pekt! Always excited about an upcoming basho. Ready to see if Kirishima (formerly Kiribayama) does well at Ozeki. Sad seeing some of my old standards start to...
Hey @pekt!
Always excited about an upcoming basho. Ready to see if Kirishima (formerly Kiribayama) does well at Ozeki. Sad seeing some of my old standards start to retire, but it's a time of upheaval and new blood filling the ranks.
I should have done so more searching before making a post! I got into my account and am still getting used to how Tildes is set up compared to Reddit. I figured there'd be some fans over here, and...
I should have done so more searching before making a post! I got into my account and am still getting used to how Tildes is set up compared to Reddit.
I figured there'd be some fans over here, and glad to see it! I'm in a similar boat. I've been watching for ~4 years now and the two guys I had picked as my favorites when I started are both retired (Tochinoshin and Ichinojo). Looking forward to seeing Kirishima kick some butt and hopefully, some additional Ozeki runs to bolster the top ranks.
No worries! I was being a smartass to @mycketforvirrad for pinging me as they're the all knowing, all watching TagMaster that'll ping me when a sumo topic pops up that I didn't post myself (same...
No worries! I was being a smartass to @mycketforvirrad for pinging me as they're the all knowing, all watching TagMaster that'll ping me when a sumo topic pops up that I didn't post myself (same goes for @cfabbro and occasionally @lou). But yeah, click on that sumo tag and you'll probably find my comments in every single post.
Been watching regularly (trying to catch every basho) for over a decade but been a fan for much longer, the ways to watch have changed over the years, but I still watch every basho that I can. I'll often watch in spurts. I'll catch the first day, then wait for the next week to catch up on all the previous week's matches, then watch daily for the last week. I've been trying to watch more and more Juryo so I can see the up-and-comers before they're in the top division, but haven't made it a point to do so reliably just yet. Where do you get your sumo watching in?
Yeah, I'm a big (no pun intended) fan of Tochi and Ichi, and sad to see them go. Tochi was expected and has been for a few years, Ichinojo was not and I wish he could have gotten ahold of his problems/the help he needed and addressed them before it got to this point. Had also hoped to see Ishiura return after injury and not retire, but that buff-as-hell man is going to be teaching the next generation; hoping his style of pixie speed with muscles that can toss around some of the biggest wrestlers is passed on (just need someone else to teach how to deal with pusher/thrusters as Ishiura always seemed to have trouble if he couldn't get inside their reach).
As for Ozeki runs, Daieisho, Wakamotoharu, and Hoshoryu are all in the hunt with 11, 12, and 12 wins needed respectively. I'm a fan of all three (I'm a fan of 90% of wrestlers to be fair) and my dream basho has all three promoted to Ozeki, but I doubt that'll happen. Daieisho has been on Ozeki runs twice before and gets slapped back down once he's at Sekiwake, so we'll see if he continues that trend. Hoshoryu has been stable at Sekiwake, but two of his 11 wins last basho were fusen (other wrestler out) and the amount of times he henkas when a kachi-koshi is on the line and he's 7-7 doesn't feel very Ozeki-like sumo. Wakamotoharu is who I have the highest hopes for. He's been steadily improving his entire career, marching his way up the banzuke, with only four very minor stumbles along the way in his paid rank tenure. Still, 12 wins is a hard ask at Sekiwake but if anyone in this list can do it, it's the 6'2" mound of muscle that is Wakamotoharu!
I'll keep an eye out for that tag, or just start searching for it. Lots of adjusting after so many years of using Reddit! I used to be a watch each day as it happened person and looked forward to...
I'll keep an eye out for that tag, or just start searching for it. Lots of adjusting after so many years of using Reddit!
I used to be a watch each day as it happened person and looked forward to my morning cup of coffee and some Sumo to start the day during a basho. Nowadays I'm not able to watch as frequently as I'd like as I have very young kids so I'm in the burst camp. I use NattoSumo's non-youtube sources at this point to watch since I don't need to worry about them getting taken down and I like his style.
Seeing the changing of the guard happening post-Hakuho has been cool to see, but it is sad to see favorites retire. I was sad to hear that Ichinojo isn't staying involved post-retirement. Sounds like Tochinoshin is also going to be doing his own thing as well. Good to see Ishiura follow in his father's footsteps and coach to bring up the next generation. I love the family aspect for a lot of the rikishi being born into "sumo families".
Such an exciting basho to see. Who knows if all the stars align we could have all three of them promoted at once which would be crazy to see!
I like Natto's stats, but wish the broadcast he captured was the English one. As a result I usually catch the Kintamayama cuts instead. Ichi's exit kinda made continuing in sumo a longshot, but...
I like Natto's stats, but wish the broadcast he captured was the English one. As a result I usually catch the Kintamayama cuts instead.
Ichi's exit kinda made continuing in sumo a longshot, but we'll see. He's made more than enough money to live comfortably back in Mongolia. Tochi's decision to become an importer of goods from his homeland of Georgia is admirable and I hope to visit his shop on a trip to Japan. Tochi had solid fundamentals and technique in sumo and not to say that he doesn't have anything to teach the next generation, but his style was very reliant on him being an absolute behemoth, which doesn't translate well to many others.
If one of the three current Ozeki contenders doesn't make it, my money is the next Ozeki (and yokozuna) being Asanoyama.
I saw Kintamayam after I had already been watching Natto for some time and figured I'd just stick with it. I do recommend new people to check his videos or the official videos put out by the NHK...
I saw Kintamayam after I had already been watching Natto for some time and figured I'd just stick with it. I do recommend new people to check his videos or the official videos put out by the NHK if they want to try the sport out so they can follow along more easily.
I still if Asanoyama would have put together a rope run if he hadn't been suspended for so long.
I watch a combo of Kinta, Sumo Prime Time (for the backstage info they provide), Mr.JWags because I like his style and he's fun, and occasionally Chris Sumo for some hot takes. Oh yeah totally...
I watch a combo of Kinta, Sumo Prime Time (for the backstage info they provide), Mr.JWags because I like his style and he's fun, and occasionally Chris Sumo for some hot takes.
Oh yeah totally agree, if Asanoyama hadn't broken COVID rules (and then tried to destroy evidence of such) he'd be wearing the rope right now, I have zero doubt about that. I'm sure he's given real thought and done the mental math on how much he'd have made at the top rank by now vs how much it was worth going to those nightclubs instead. A year of suspension, a year of working his way back to paid ranks, even if he was slow to getting the rope, he'd likely still have been one for at least a year now. His yokozuna run would have probably started in September 2021 right after Hakuho retired and he'd have been next to Teru by March realistically, July at the latest. A 27 year old Japanese born Yokozuna? The domestic press would have shit themselves with excitement. Kisenosato was the last Japanese yokozuna and he was 32 when promoted and 34 when he retired. Last Japanese yoko under 30 was Wakanohana and that was 25 years ago, he lasted two years. Takanohana was 23 when promoted in 1995 and lasted eight years.
I love this sport! I started watching it around July 2020, got some friends into it and we are now religiously watching every Basho. We all have our favorites rikishis, gyōjis and even kimarites....
I love this sport! I started watching it around July 2020, got some friends into it and we are now religiously watching every Basho. We all have our favorites rikishis, gyōjis and even kimarites.
If this sport interests you, go see the [official YouTube channel of the sumo] association(https://www.youtube.com/@sumoprimetime7506), there are great videos to introduce you to the Japan national sport.
I've been a fan for a few years now myself! I had a basho video pop up in my Youtube recommendations one day and I had some free time and started watching it. Thought it was interesting and went...
I've been a fan for a few years now myself! I had a basho video pop up in my Youtube recommendations one day and I had some free time and started watching it. Thought it was interesting and went back and watched the rest of the basho. My wife thought "oh that's interesting" and then I kept watching it lol.
I wish I had discovered Sumo during university. I think it would have been a great way to get my friends interested and I have a feeling I would have been able to get guys in my fraternity to watch with me as well. As it is now I have my old manager who I found out watches and that's about it. I make do with my wife occasionally watching some a few bouts with me and my young sons knowing there is "uncle sumo" on a few of my shirts.
Do you watch any other Sumo content? I've seen Sumo primetime and mean to go back and watch more of his videos, but sadly I don't have a time of free time these days to follow Sumo.
That's a funny way to start! Personally, they talked passionately about sumo on a podcast that I love (their love for Takakeishō was boundless) so I had no choice but to try a Basho. I loved...
That's a funny way to start! Personally, they talked passionately about sumo on a podcast that I love (their love for Takakeishō was boundless) so I had no choice but to try a Basho. I loved everything!
I don't think I would have clicked on a random sumo video because of my lack of knowledge on the subject. Nowadays, when I have the chance, I talk about it to my friends and family. At first, people usually look at me strangely, but some will be more interested and will try it on their own. That's how I got my 4 buddies watching the highlights with me every day of every Basho!
Other than Sumo prime time, I will watch the highlights on the YouTube channel called NattoSumo and sometimes read from the JapanTimes journal.
I'm more just a casual fan myself- I live in Japan and used to be able to catch the live TV broadcast. But alas, work change means I only catch it live once or twice during the actual Basho now....
I'm more just a casual fan myself- I live in Japan and used to be able to catch the live TV broadcast. But alas, work change means I only catch it live once or twice during the actual Basho now.
Still, I like it more than many Western sports- mostly because Sumo is always finished by 6 p.m. JST, and you have a pretty good idea of what time all the top dogs will be have their matches at (upper levels start about 5 pm JST, and highest rank fighters are about 5:30). Note that this doesn't necessarily mean they'll be the most EXCITING bouts to watch...
I'd love to be able to watch it live. I recently moved over to SE Asia from the US and while I'm closer in the time zone I've got young kids and work that keeps me from watching a lot. WIth all...
I'd love to be able to watch it live. I recently moved over to SE Asia from the US and while I'm closer in the time zone I've got young kids and work that keeps me from watching a lot. WIth all the drama of English Sumo channels getting taken down they're my only way to watch these days since sometimes I'm a week or two behind the basho depending on my schedule.
Have you been able to watch Sumo in person living in Japan? We plan to visit in a couple of years for a friend's wedding and I'm secretly hoping they get married during a basho so I can attend while we're there.
I just got into it at the end of last year. I had no idea how interesting it was until I watched Sensei Seth's videos on it. I've been watching what I can on Midnight Sumo on twitch and then...
I just got into it at the end of last year. I had no idea how interesting it was until I watched Sensei Seth's videos on it. I've been watching what I can on Midnight Sumo on twitch and then catching what I miss on the Grand Sumo app.
I hope you continue to enjoy it! I love knowing that this sport has so much history to it. I've never been a big fan of following sports but something about Sumo just sucked me right in! I'd...
I hope you continue to enjoy it! I love knowing that this sport has so much history to it. I've never been a big fan of following sports but something about Sumo just sucked me right in!
I'd recommend the Grand Sumo Breakdown podcast. I don't have many friends who are interested in the sport and listening to the podcast feels like having some guys you'd sit around and have some beers BS about Sumo.
There are six tournaments a year, with three of them in Tokyo (January, May and September). The March tournament is in Osaka, July is Nagoya, and November is Fukuoka. If you're going with kids,...
There are six tournaments a year, with three of them in Tokyo (January, May and September). The March tournament is in Osaka, July is Nagoya, and November is Fukuoka. If you're going with kids, depending on what else you plan to do, I would recommend either Tokyo or Osaka, as you can take them to Disney or Universal Studios Japan in the same area.
Between tournaments the sumo association also does regional tours, so if you're not going to be in the country during an actual tournament you can look into those tour schedules. The regional tours might be better for kids because there are different activities than just the sumo matches. There's singing by some of the wrestlers (jinku), comedy sumo matches by lower ranking wrestlers (shokkiri), exhibitions such as how the hairdressers do the topknots, etc.
I'll echo the wonderful reply by @LocoEjercito and encourage checking out one of the regional tour stops in the evenly numbered months. I love sumo and the rituals that happen in it, but it's...
I'll echo the wonderful reply by @LocoEjercito and encourage checking out one of the regional tour stops in the evenly numbered months. I love sumo and the rituals that happen in it, but it's probably not going to be engaging live for kids. The top division, where you'd likely watch, is often five minutes of ritual, prep, etc. between matches that are 15-60 seconds of action. Even I rarely watch the bashos live due to this pacing. The regional tours will have "real" matches and the comedy sumo is enjoyed by all ages.
Yes! I started watching a few bashos ago when it was being streamed on Twitch (damn you NHK). I try to still catch it live work permitting. Sad to see some regulars go, like Ichinojo, Tochinoshin,...
Yes! I started watching a few bashos ago when it was being streamed on Twitch (damn you NHK). I try to still catch it live work permitting. Sad to see some regulars go, like Ichinojo, Tochinoshin, Ishura and others whose names escape me right now. Really happy to see Kiribayama get to Ozeki and can't wait to see him in action in a couple of weeks.
Calling @AugustusFerdinand.
What's sumo?
Never heard of it.
Hey @pekt!
Always excited about an upcoming basho. Ready to see if Kirishima (formerly Kiribayama) does well at Ozeki. Sad seeing some of my old standards start to retire, but it's a time of upheaval and new blood filling the ranks.
I should have done so more searching before making a post! I got into my account and am still getting used to how Tildes is set up compared to Reddit.
I figured there'd be some fans over here, and glad to see it! I'm in a similar boat. I've been watching for ~4 years now and the two guys I had picked as my favorites when I started are both retired (Tochinoshin and Ichinojo). Looking forward to seeing Kirishima kick some butt and hopefully, some additional Ozeki runs to bolster the top ranks.
No worries! I was being a smartass to @mycketforvirrad for pinging me as they're the all knowing, all watching TagMaster that'll ping me when a sumo topic pops up that I didn't post myself (same goes for @cfabbro and occasionally @lou). But yeah, click on that sumo tag and you'll probably find my comments in every single post.
Been watching regularly (trying to catch every basho) for over a decade but been a fan for much longer, the ways to watch have changed over the years, but I still watch every basho that I can. I'll often watch in spurts. I'll catch the first day, then wait for the next week to catch up on all the previous week's matches, then watch daily for the last week. I've been trying to watch more and more Juryo so I can see the up-and-comers before they're in the top division, but haven't made it a point to do so reliably just yet. Where do you get your sumo watching in?
Yeah, I'm a big (no pun intended) fan of Tochi and Ichi, and sad to see them go. Tochi was expected and has been for a few years, Ichinojo was not and I wish he could have gotten ahold of his problems/the help he needed and addressed them before it got to this point. Had also hoped to see Ishiura return after injury and not retire, but that buff-as-hell man is going to be teaching the next generation; hoping his style of pixie speed with muscles that can toss around some of the biggest wrestlers is passed on (just need someone else to teach how to deal with pusher/thrusters as Ishiura always seemed to have trouble if he couldn't get inside their reach).
As for Ozeki runs, Daieisho, Wakamotoharu, and Hoshoryu are all in the hunt with 11, 12, and 12 wins needed respectively. I'm a fan of all three (I'm a fan of 90% of wrestlers to be fair) and my dream basho has all three promoted to Ozeki, but I doubt that'll happen. Daieisho has been on Ozeki runs twice before and gets slapped back down once he's at Sekiwake, so we'll see if he continues that trend. Hoshoryu has been stable at Sekiwake, but two of his 11 wins last basho were fusen (other wrestler out) and the amount of times he henkas when a kachi-koshi is on the line and he's 7-7 doesn't feel very Ozeki-like sumo. Wakamotoharu is who I have the highest hopes for. He's been steadily improving his entire career, marching his way up the banzuke, with only four very minor stumbles along the way in his paid rank tenure. Still, 12 wins is a hard ask at Sekiwake but if anyone in this list can do it, it's the 6'2" mound of muscle that is Wakamotoharu!
I'll keep an eye out for that tag, or just start searching for it. Lots of adjusting after so many years of using Reddit!
I used to be a watch each day as it happened person and looked forward to my morning cup of coffee and some Sumo to start the day during a basho. Nowadays I'm not able to watch as frequently as I'd like as I have very young kids so I'm in the burst camp. I use NattoSumo's non-youtube sources at this point to watch since I don't need to worry about them getting taken down and I like his style.
Seeing the changing of the guard happening post-Hakuho has been cool to see, but it is sad to see favorites retire. I was sad to hear that Ichinojo isn't staying involved post-retirement. Sounds like Tochinoshin is also going to be doing his own thing as well. Good to see Ishiura follow in his father's footsteps and coach to bring up the next generation. I love the family aspect for a lot of the rikishi being born into "sumo families".
Such an exciting basho to see. Who knows if all the stars align we could have all three of them promoted at once which would be crazy to see!
I like Natto's stats, but wish the broadcast he captured was the English one. As a result I usually catch the Kintamayama cuts instead.
Ichi's exit kinda made continuing in sumo a longshot, but we'll see. He's made more than enough money to live comfortably back in Mongolia. Tochi's decision to become an importer of goods from his homeland of Georgia is admirable and I hope to visit his shop on a trip to Japan. Tochi had solid fundamentals and technique in sumo and not to say that he doesn't have anything to teach the next generation, but his style was very reliant on him being an absolute behemoth, which doesn't translate well to many others.
If one of the three current Ozeki contenders doesn't make it, my money is the next Ozeki (and yokozuna) being Asanoyama.
I saw Kintamayam after I had already been watching Natto for some time and figured I'd just stick with it. I do recommend new people to check his videos or the official videos put out by the NHK if they want to try the sport out so they can follow along more easily.
I still if Asanoyama would have put together a rope run if he hadn't been suspended for so long.
I watch a combo of Kinta, Sumo Prime Time (for the backstage info they provide), Mr.JWags because I like his style and he's fun, and occasionally Chris Sumo for some hot takes.
Oh yeah totally agree, if Asanoyama hadn't broken COVID rules (and then tried to destroy evidence of such) he'd be wearing the rope right now, I have zero doubt about that. I'm sure he's given real thought and done the mental math on how much he'd have made at the top rank by now vs how much it was worth going to those nightclubs instead. A year of suspension, a year of working his way back to paid ranks, even if he was slow to getting the rope, he'd likely still have been one for at least a year now. His yokozuna run would have probably started in September 2021 right after Hakuho retired and he'd have been next to Teru by March realistically, July at the latest.
A 27 year old Japanese born Yokozuna? The domestic press would have shit themselves with excitement. Kisenosato was the last Japanese yokozuna and he was 32 when promoted and 34 when he retired. Last Japanese yoko under 30 was Wakanohana and that was 25 years ago, he lasted two years. Takanohana was 23 when promoted in 1995 and lasted eight years.
I love this sport! I started watching it around July 2020, got some friends into it and we are now religiously watching every Basho. We all have our favorites rikishis, gyōjis and even kimarites.
If this sport interests you, go see the [official YouTube channel of the sumo] association(https://www.youtube.com/@sumoprimetime7506), there are great videos to introduce you to the Japan national sport.
I've been a fan for a few years now myself! I had a basho video pop up in my Youtube recommendations one day and I had some free time and started watching it. Thought it was interesting and went back and watched the rest of the basho. My wife thought "oh that's interesting" and then I kept watching it lol.
I wish I had discovered Sumo during university. I think it would have been a great way to get my friends interested and I have a feeling I would have been able to get guys in my fraternity to watch with me as well. As it is now I have my old manager who I found out watches and that's about it. I make do with my wife occasionally watching some a few bouts with me and my young sons knowing there is "uncle sumo" on a few of my shirts.
Do you watch any other Sumo content? I've seen Sumo primetime and mean to go back and watch more of his videos, but sadly I don't have a time of free time these days to follow Sumo.
That's a funny way to start! Personally, they talked passionately about sumo on a podcast that I love (their love for Takakeishō was boundless) so I had no choice but to try a Basho. I loved everything!
I don't think I would have clicked on a random sumo video because of my lack of knowledge on the subject. Nowadays, when I have the chance, I talk about it to my friends and family. At first, people usually look at me strangely, but some will be more interested and will try it on their own. That's how I got my 4 buddies watching the highlights with me every day of every Basho!
Other than Sumo prime time, I will watch the highlights on the YouTube channel called NattoSumo and sometimes read from the JapanTimes journal.
I'm more just a casual fan myself- I live in Japan and used to be able to catch the live TV broadcast. But alas, work change means I only catch it live once or twice during the actual Basho now.
Still, I like it more than many Western sports- mostly because Sumo is always finished by 6 p.m. JST, and you have a pretty good idea of what time all the top dogs will be have their matches at (upper levels start about 5 pm JST, and highest rank fighters are about 5:30). Note that this doesn't necessarily mean they'll be the most EXCITING bouts to watch...
I'd love to be able to watch it live. I recently moved over to SE Asia from the US and while I'm closer in the time zone I've got young kids and work that keeps me from watching a lot. WIth all the drama of English Sumo channels getting taken down they're my only way to watch these days since sometimes I'm a week or two behind the basho depending on my schedule.
Have you been able to watch Sumo in person living in Japan? We plan to visit in a couple of years for a friend's wedding and I'm secretly hoping they get married during a basho so I can attend while we're there.
I just got into it at the end of last year. I had no idea how interesting it was until I watched Sensei Seth's videos on it. I've been watching what I can on Midnight Sumo on twitch and then catching what I miss on the Grand Sumo app.
I hope you continue to enjoy it! I love knowing that this sport has so much history to it. I've never been a big fan of following sports but something about Sumo just sucked me right in!
I'd recommend the Grand Sumo Breakdown podcast. I don't have many friends who are interested in the sport and listening to the podcast feels like having some guys you'd sit around and have some beers BS about Sumo.
If someone were to visit Japan with kids and watch a sumo match, where would you go?
There are six tournaments a year, with three of them in Tokyo (January, May and September). The March tournament is in Osaka, July is Nagoya, and November is Fukuoka. If you're going with kids, depending on what else you plan to do, I would recommend either Tokyo or Osaka, as you can take them to Disney or Universal Studios Japan in the same area.
Between tournaments the sumo association also does regional tours, so if you're not going to be in the country during an actual tournament you can look into those tour schedules. The regional tours might be better for kids because there are different activities than just the sumo matches. There's singing by some of the wrestlers (jinku), comedy sumo matches by lower ranking wrestlers (shokkiri), exhibitions such as how the hairdressers do the topknots, etc.
Thank you for this reply!
I'll echo the wonderful reply by @LocoEjercito and encourage checking out one of the regional tour stops in the evenly numbered months. I love sumo and the rituals that happen in it, but it's probably not going to be engaging live for kids. The top division, where you'd likely watch, is often five minutes of ritual, prep, etc. between matches that are 15-60 seconds of action. Even I rarely watch the bashos live due to this pacing. The regional tours will have "real" matches and the comedy sumo is enjoyed by all ages.
Yes! I started watching a few bashos ago when it was being streamed on Twitch (damn you NHK). I try to still catch it live work permitting. Sad to see some regulars go, like Ichinojo, Tochinoshin, Ishura and others whose names escape me right now. Really happy to see Kiribayama get to Ozeki and can't wait to see him in action in a couple of weeks.