author

 
 

Meta

Twitter

@JohnGunningISJ

John Gunning
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 16, 2022
Younger wrestlers stepping up early at wild Kyushu Basho
With the top of the banzuke ratings struggling in Fukuoka, several rikishi are looking to capitalize on strong starts as they chase the last Emperor's Cup of 2022.
Japan Times
SUMO
Nov 11, 2022
Only certainty about upcoming Kyushu Basho is uncertainty
Predicting who will emerge victorious in the 2022 Kyushu Basho is almost impossible, but another first time champion or unexpected career breakout performance is a safe bet.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 9, 2022
Should the Japan Sumo Association reconsider the Kyushu Basho?
While better ticket sales and increased income could potentially be found elsewhere, the value of holding a tournament in Fukuoka isn't just monetary.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Nov 2, 2022
Centuries-old records test sumo’s modern superstars
Autumn Basho champion Tamawashi is 11 tournaments away from becoming sumo's all-time ironman, but there are other marks in the sport widely expected to remain untouchable.
Japan Times
Rugby
Oct 27, 2022
All Blacks test offers Brave Blossoms chance to advance Japanese rugby
Saturday's matchup at the National Stadium with New Zealand, while ostensibly a friendly international test, could be Japan's most important 80 minutes since 2019.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 26, 2022
Tokyo takes over as host of 2023 Sumo World Championships
Amateur sumo's most prestigious tournament will return to the capital for the first time since 1998, replacing Russia which was scheduled to host this year.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 19, 2022
JSA welcomes new crop of sumo recruits ahead of Kyushu Basho
Ten wrestlers passed their mandatory health checks at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Tuesday, with eight Japanese newcomers eligible to take part in next month's Fukuoka meet.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 12, 2022
Wrestlers and fans relax together at successful Sumo Fan Festival
For the first time since the coronavirus pandemic began, fans were able to get up close and personal with their favorite rikishi at Ryogoku Kokugikan.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 5, 2022
Classic sumo film 'Shiko Funjatta' finds new life as spinoff drama
The upcoming Disney+ series based on director Masayuki Suo's award-winning work is leading a new wave of sumo content on streaming platforms.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 28, 2022
'Ironman' Tamawashi gets his due with second Emperor's Cup
The 37-year-old's victory was the feel-good story of the the Autumn Basho, but the sport's immediate future remains in flux as young wrestlers struggle to perform consistently.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 21, 2022
No stars? No problem: Interest in sumo grows as it enters parity era
The ebb and flow of Japan's national sport is closely tied to the rise and fall of its grand champions, but overseas viewers are increasingly backing a wider variety of wrestlers.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 14, 2022
JSA delights sumo diehards with announcement of October fan event
A number of rare opportunities will be available for attendees at Ryogoku Kokugikan event, the sport's first fan festival since 2005.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 9, 2022
Ichinojo seeking repeat as focus shifts back to sumo for Autumn Basho
It's looking increasingly likely that all members of the top division will be ready to go when the final Tokyo meet of the year gets underway at Ryogoku Kokugikan on Sunday.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 7, 2022
Hakuho coy on details as January retirement ceremony announced
Fans of the former yokozuna can likely anticipate a spectacle when the newly minted Miyagino stablemaster enters the Ryogoku Kokugikan ring one last time.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 31, 2022
Ascent to sumo's peak slowing for recent crop of foreign wrestlers
While Mongolia may currently be monopolizing sumo's foreign slots, the overall level of domination that the central Asian nation has exerted over the sport is unlikely to continue.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 24, 2022
Degeiko training endures despite rise in COVID-19 infections
The Japan Sumo Association's decision to allow joint training between stables is both a benefit for wrestlers and a positive sign of a return to pre-pandemic norms.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 17, 2022
Threatened by rivals, Nichidai continues to produce elite sumo talent
Though Nihon University has ceded space in the elite tier of college sumo to its rivals, the school is still capable of developing wrestlers who can make an impact in the pro ranks.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 10, 2022
JSA taps veteran presenter for new English-language YouTube channel
Hiroshi Morita, who has been in the commentary booth for NHK since 1999, is the face of professional sumo's biggest effort yet to market to international fans in the internet era.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 3, 2022
Former yokozuna Hakuho faces new challenges as Miyagino stablemaster
Sumo's greatest-ever grand champion is now in charge of his own beya, but whether he will be able to rise through the complicated hierarchy of the Japan Sumo Association is an open question.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Jul 27, 2022
Ichinojo's deserved first title rescues virus-struck Nagoya Basho
The Minato stable man's debut championship brought not only relief but genuine joy, as he is one of the most affable and likeable figures in Japan's national sport.

Longform

Construction takes place on the Takanawa Gateway Convention Center in Tokyo, slated to open in 2025.
A boom for business tourism in Japan?