Sumo’s return to normality continues apace, and in the wake of Japan beginning to gradually reopen, the national sport seems set to experience an unprecedented surge in coverage internationally.
The restoration, after a two year break, of degeiko (training outside of one’s own stable) has been a major boon not only to those in desperate need of challenging practice partners, but also sumo fans abroad.
With all normal activities more-or-less shut down and a ban on social media usage still in place, the six-week period between tournaments has, since early 2020, been a frustrating dry spell for die-hard lovers of the sport that need a daily fix of sumo news.