I love sumo wrestling. I really do. I get such a big kick out of watching it. I love the pageantry of it. The tradition, the other worldness of it. But, I think my unsophisticated appreciation is more akin to my reality TV obsession than a true appreciation of the sport. The kids say it is just fat guys repeatedly slapping their own stomachs and butts, but even they are into it a little.
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| Coming to work |
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| adoring fans |
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| Sandy and Nancy with sumo-man |
There are approximately 800 professional sumo, but only 42 in the top ranks. Currently there is only one yokozuna or grand champion, although there can be two at a given time. There have only been 69 reaching that designation in the last 300 years. Once you make yokozuna rank you cannot be demoted, but you can be forced to retire. Until recently, only Japanese-born could be sumo wrestlers. It took a long time to break that barrier and an even longer time before they allowed a foreigner to become a grand champion as the designation is not only based on one's record, but he must be "a man of character worthy to hold such a exalted position" in the eyes of the Sumo Federation.
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| Hakuho is on the left |
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| The pre-game prep is limited to 4 minutes per match and they usually take the full four minutes staring each other down, slapping their bellies and legs and throwing salt into the ring. |
Right now we have been absorbed in watching the current grand champion yokozuna, Hakuho, go for the all time winning streak record. He broke the post world war II record this tournament with 54 straight wins and stands to break the all-time record during our stay at the next tournament which would take 69 wins. Hakuho is from Mongolia and he is very fun to watch. The kids liken him to a big, plush toy. He wears a very blank, mellow game face, but when he broke the title he did allow for a quick, furtive, chubby smile. He is 6'4" 328 lbs and is slim compared to others.
Here are his vital stats:
http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meikan/rikishi_joho/rikishi_2320.html
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| The concluding rite of the day is the bow ceremony dance. |
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| a commercial break |
It is funny to see the post-match interviews, where these big men answer questions in very quiet, non-aggressive styles always stating that they are just happy to have won and wishing others luck.
The stadium seats are set around the two foot high clay ring called a dohyo. The whole lower level of the arena consists box seats. The most expensive cost $175 each. For this price you sit on the floor on a thin pillow cross-legged. The cheap seats on the second tier are normal stadium seats and much more comfortable by my reckoning.
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| stadium prior to matches |
We got day of general admission tix, so had to get there at 8 am--just a wee bit early.
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| Boys looking happier then they were actually |
Recently there have been attempts to disassociate the sport with Japan's yakaza, organized crime. Signs where everywhere state "No gangsters allowed" even on our English tickets:
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| How many sumo does it take to fill a minivan? In this case 4! |
When the tournament was over. The sumo left by train, taxi, foot and minivan.
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| could Jackson be a sumo champion someday? |
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| Alec and the Sumo Federation mascot-they might want to hire a new PR guy |
Walking home with the kids we saw a random billboard. The Japanese also like their bananas.
