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Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 12, 2009

Nation grapples with pot-smoking sumo wrestlers

Sumo wrestlers with pot bellies, yes. Sumo wrestlers with pot? Now that's harder to grapple with.
Japan Times
COMMUNITY / Issues / THE ZEIT GIST
Sep 4, 2007

The scapegoating of Asa

The Japan Sumo Association has recently tag-teamed with the Japanese media to lay into Asashoryu, the Mongolian sumo champ who has all but dominated the sport for the past few years.
MORE SPORTS
Feb 12, 2000

The life and times of a sumo giant

Continuing The Japan Times' exclusive interview with yokozuna Akebono, 30, in which he talks about his life and relationships in sumo.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 24, 2023

Ex-ozeki Tochinoshin's retirement a heavy blow for European sumo

In addition to being a fan favorite and a well-liked rikishi inside the sport, Tochinoshin’s presence ensured sumo’s continued popularity in the Caucasus region.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 26, 2023

New generation could rekindle ozeki rank's missing spark

With a history of engaging and charismatic wrestlers, sumo's second-highest rank often draws a greater response from fans than the stoicism demanded from yokozuna.
Japan Times
SUMO
Jan 6, 2023

Takakeisho enters New Year Basho with golden opportunity

The first professional sumo tournament of the year gets underway at the Kokugikan in Tokyo this weekend.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Dec 14, 2022

High school hopefuls make leap into professional sumo

While university graduates have dominated headlines at recent tournaments, just one of eight new wrestlers entering the sport ahead of the New Year Basho boasts a college background.
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
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
Jul 1, 2021

Nagoya Basho could have significant impact on sport

Sumo lovers in central Japan will see their sport return with a bang, as the upcoming tournament is primed to be one of the most significant in recent memory.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 25, 2021

Yokozuna Kakuryu had serene journey through sumo’s often treacherous straits

Kakuryu's nature never allowed him to play the black hat role, and his style of sumo, and gradual ascent to the top, also meant that he flew under the radar for many.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Mar 17, 2021

Fall of Azumazeki stable represents tragic loss for professional sumo

Established in 1986 by former sekiwake Takamiyama, Azumazeki was the first heya in history to be run by a foreign-born stablemaster.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 30, 2020

JSA pulls off another successful tournament in COVID-19 era

After managing a second basho with fans at Ryogoku Kokugikan, the Japan Sumo Association still faces a number of challenges going forward.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 23, 2020

Long layoffs could prove detrimental to amateur and pro rikishi

The cancellations caused by the coronavirus will likely have an adverse effect on the sumo world.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Oct 2, 2019

Naturalized Sokokurai fought for JSA return

One of the more interesting bits of news over the past month was the announcement that Arashio stable veteran Sokokurai had acquired Japanese nationality.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Sep 25, 2019

Injuries continue to impact sumo landscape

Sumo fans continue to be spoiled, with September serving up yet another incredible and dramatic tournament.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Aug 1, 2018

Grueling summer tours offer mixed blessing for sumo

Sumo's summer regional tour is already under way, snaking around Lake Biwa and across central Japan towards the Kanto region.
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
May 2, 2018

Ancient banzuke adds human touch to sumo

"I can't do this for 10 years. I want to have a normal job. I want to live in a normal house. I want to eat normal food. I want to live a normal life."
Japan Times
SUMO / INSIDE SUMO
Apr 18, 2018

Family legacy weighs heavily on young sumo prospects

Jigjidiin Monkhbat, the father of yokozuna Hakuho, passed away recently. A legendary figure in Mongolian wrestling, the six-time Naadam festival champion was also a silver medalist at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Feb 28, 2014

Another nail in the coffin of amateur sumo

Sumo currently exists in two forms around the world. Most famous, of course, is the Tokyo-based professional sport led by yokozuna Hakuho, et al. However, the amateur version, often termed “amasumo” in abbreviated form, is of interest to many in nations that lack direct access to Japanese broadcasts....
Japan Times
JAPAN / Media / BIG IN JAPAN
Mar 20, 2011

Sumo seeks to recover from disaster of its own making

If March 13, 2011, had been a normal Sunday in Japan, at around 4:30 p.m. this writer would have popped open a beer, grabbed a packet of shelled peanuts, switched on his TV and watched the first day of the Osaka Grand Sumo Tournament on NHK.
Japan Times
JAPAN
Feb 9, 2011

Sumo-rigging born of necessity?

The sumo bout-fixing unearthed in seized cell phone texts points to a practice that, according to at least one expert, was born out of a need by young wrestlers to survive a short-lived career where the spoils at the top are elusive and the threat of demotion and loss of pay is ever-present.
Japan Times
JAPAN / Q&A
Feb 4, 2011

Match-throwing final nail in sumo coffin?

The sumo world has had its share of scandals in recent years but the latest one — text messages indicating match-fixing — is rocking the "dohyo" ring hard.
BASEBALL / BASEBALL BULLET-IN
Jun 30, 2010

Recalling happier days between baseball and sumo

Sad, isn't it; what has happened to sumo?
JAPAN
Jun 26, 2010

Can sumo survive stain of gambling? It's anyone's bet

The recent admissions by dozens of sumo wrestlers and stablemasters of engaging in illegal, underworld-linked gambling has sent the ancient sport's image, already dogged by scandals, to the mat.
SUMO / SUMO SCRIBBLINGS
Jun 19, 2010

Why can't sumo ever seem to get a break?

Sumo is once again under attack in the domestic media — this time on the back of twin allegations. First of all, there's the one involving seniors in the sport, known as oyakata, rubbing shoulders with the Japanese underworld and supplying choice tickets to their contacts at times. The other scandal...
JAPAN / EXPLAINER
Feb 16, 2010

Steeped in tradition, Shinto, sumo is also scandal-stained

The national sport of sumo traces its origins to an early Shinto ritual to pray for a bountiful harvest, and the professional tournaments of today date to the 17th century during the Edo Period.

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