Later on today I will return to the Ryogoku Kokugikan in Tokyo for yet another day of osumo. Frankly, although I went last week, and have watched the “sumo digest” every night on TV during the current basho (tournament), I just can’t get enough.
It will be the last day of the tournament, and yokozuna Asashoryu‘s loss yesterday means that who will claim the yusho (tournament championship) is up for grabs. It’s a possibility Asashoyru, currently 12-2, could end up tied with Kaio (presently 11-3), which would mean a “sudden-death” playoff match to determine the winner (and a rematch of yesterday’s bout, which Asashoryu lost). Wouldn’t that be something? Asashoryu has the tougher battle of the two, going up against Haru Basho winner Chiyotaikai, who won’t be happy he’s out of contention with 4 losses and his dream of yokozuna rank deferred for now.
Rather than chance ticket availability at the venue (there are 500 same-day tickets that go on sale each day), I bought a ticket the other day when I was in Tokyo for work. And although it’s in the second row from the back of the house, I could hardly care less. I’ll be there early too, just to soak up more of the atmosphere, and hopefully take more photos. Speaking of which, yesterday I picked up my photos from last week, and started the slow and tortuous process of scanning the better ones tonight. Below are a few examples, and a few more can be seen in my gallery. These are all wrestlers in the lower ranks, and as such I don’t know their wrestling names (yet).
Hey Kurt,
can I come with you next time?
I really want to see Sumo.
I have been in Japan almost a year now and I didn t go… I’m coming back from Korea on the 9th.
Let’s organise smth… What about a TokyoBloggers outing at the Osumo… 😉
p
That sounds good. I’ve never been either. Love the photos by the way, you really captured the action, but kept some of the mystery as well.
Andrew
kurt, these sumo photos are some of my favs that you have taken in japan. good choice in black and white… i like how on the page you have these amazing expressions of struggle and then the next blog entry is close ups of your son’s face sleeping.
Awesome pictures. I love Sumo too. Only saw one day of the Canada Basho in 1998 live. Too bad that the bouts are between 2-6PM (too early for me to catch most days) but the digest runs between 11PM-1AM (too late for me to catch).
I’m really torn with Asashouryu. His sumo is so awesome, but his attitude sucks ass. I’m not really a conservative guy, even with regard to sumo, but I really appreciate the sportsmanship ethic and aura of a yokozuna, and asashouryu just doesn’t have either. He’s a fierce competitor, sure, but he needs a bit more, uh, maturity? I don’t know, but I hope he settles down and becomes a leader. He’ll never be Takanohana, but he can at least do a better job.
Speaking of which, today is Taka’s retirement ceremony. Gonna shed tears, I bet.
I’ve never seen a Sumo fight… amazing!
Can someone tell me if ESPN (and ESPN2) have lost the contract to televise Sumo matches? The last tournament broadcast (as far as I know) was for the Winter Basho in January 2003. Sumo Digest doesn’t seem to be available in the U. S. anymore. Help please.
Major Sumo Fan
How in the world can we learn ahead of the Sunday newspaper when sumo will be shown on ESPN2 ?
When tiddlewinks, SCRABBLE, and chess are shown as “sports,” how can the ESPN blokes denigrate sumo?
Asashoryu is great wrestler of WORLD. He is very strong. So anyone couldn’t win him. Asashoryu is our hero. He is MONGOLIAN.
So…has ESPN2 lost the contract, given up on or just stopped showing Sumo or what??? It did take up an hour and it might have gooten in the way of top programs like “cheerleading”…”washer tossing”…”hop scotch” and MANY others.