Hey all,
Just a quick note to let you know I was chatting with my good friend Stephie over at The Level Change podcast on Friday. You can check out that appearance here (link).
With no tournament to talk about, we tried something new. The Level Change audience is mostly MMA fans (though that pod talks a lot about boxing and pop culture, too). So when I appear on there I try and hit a good balance between content that is interesting for folks who know about sumo (and like it) and those who are not that familiar with the sport.
On this episode I did a ‘25 words for a new sumo fan’ segment, where I ran down things like mawashi, gyoji, kachi-koshi, etc. Things that are old hat for many of you here.
I also did a power rankings segment, where I listed my current top ten rikishi. These are the guys who I think have the best shot at winning the next tournament and who are, just in general, the most interesting and/or formidable wrestlers in the sport currently.
Here’s the list (my first power rankings ever, for anything)
Onosato
Terunofuji
Kotozakura
Hoshoryu
Abi
Kirishima
Takakeisho
Daieisho
Wakamotoharu
Meisei
Check out the podcast for my reasonings behind these rankings.
I love power rankings because they stir up a lot of debate. If you have thoughts about these, let me know! Even if you want to tell me how wrong I am for not including Takayasu (that ten spot was agonizing to pick for).
Stephie keeps telling me I should do a Sumo Stomp! podcast. I’m not sure about that. In the last year or so I’ve discovered I enjoy doing podcasts more than I ever thought I would. However, I don’t know if I have the bandwidth to add that to everything else I’m doing right now. Maybe later down the line…
In the meantime, my priority is getting a merch store up and running. I really want a Sumo Stomp! t-shirt and laptop/phone stickers. If anyone else wants that stuff, too that would be a bonus.
Ok, that’s all for now. I want to send another report card your way sometime this week, though.
Take care!
I am surprised you don't have Takerufuji in there. Even if he sat out the last tournament, he just made history with the March tournament.
I would love to buy a shirt