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John Gunning
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 21, 2017
Hakuho's place in pantheon of greats continues to grow
On Dec. 24, 2000, a skinny, dejected young Mongolian kid, near the end of his two-month stay in Japan, had seemingly failed in a bid to join sumo. Weighing just 60 kg and barely 180 cm tall Davaajargal Monkhbatyn had been unsuccessful in finding a stablemaster willing to take him in.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jun 28, 2017
Nagoya Basho contenders looking to stay cool in tournament known for upsetting the odds
With the release of the new banzuke rankings on Monday, thoughts turned to the upcoming Nagoya Basho.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 31, 2017
Takayasu's rise built on solid family support
...
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 26, 2017
Emergence of new generation bodes well for Summer Basho
I was honored to be asked by The Japan Times to write a sumo column as part of the 120th anniversary revamp. This paper was probably the first place I read about sumo and was an invaluable source of news back in the days of dial-up internet, when I first came to Japan.

Longform

Sociologist Gracia Liu-Farrer argues that even though immigration doesn't figure into Japan's autobiography, it is more of a self-perception than a reality.
In search of the ‘Japanese dream’