I’m Danny, from the UK. I’m no expert, but I started watching sumo back in the 20th century, when our newest broadcaster Channel 4 (yep, we were pleased to have increased our choice of TV channels by 33% in one go) took up Sumo in 1988. Those were the golden days of the wolf Chiyonofuji and the flailing arms of Terao.
I lost track for quite a few years after Sumo was chopped from the schedules, but with the internet connecting communities I was lucky to be back on board to witness the greatness of Hakuho via YouTube.
What I love about Sumo: its rituals and stoicism. Its clever grading system that facilitates greatness and also competition. For each bout the sense of an impending thunderstorm as the rikishi prepare, knowing a lightning strike is likely (unless it was the dull rumble of Hokuseiho) but not knowing where or when.
Who do I like: Ura is my standout. The creativity and the joy no matter the result. I like Hoshoryu for his style. I like Takanosho as a standard sumo fighter from which to compare all others. And Tamawashi for his sheer endurance.
Sumo is not perfect as a sport or in how it is run, but it is always interesting, dynamic and it has a great foreign crowd of enthusiasts.
Hey, I'm in Arizona. I subbed because I'd like to learn more about sumo. (My newsletter focuses on championships and contenders from all over sports, and I'm trying to be as inclusive as possible.) I don't know enough to have a favorite yet!
William from Colorado here (not Denver!). I first started watching Sumo in May 1999. I was attending a conference in Tokyo, had the later afternoons free, and the May Basho was on TV every afternoon. This was the days of Yokozuna Akebono, Ozeki (I think, and future Yokozuna) Musashimaru, and Terao (one of my favorites).
I tracked Sumo from a distance for years, until it became much easier over the last 10? 15? years to actually watch most of the Makuuchi matches.
In the current era, I like Midorifugi (penchant for the lighter Rikishi) and Hoshoryu. I am hoping Wakatakakage and Hakuoho can climb the ladder again.
I also wish there was some way for the Sumo rules to react to serious injury that wasn't so punishing to the Rikishi. Having to restart in the bottom three divisions can take another 1/2 to 1 year out of their careers.
Just into sumo, I didn't even start at the beginning of the last tournament but a few days into it. But I fell for it hard. I also came to this sport and your work from the CME podcast
Favourite so far is Hoshoryu. I love his throws, both the successful ones and the hopeless attempts.
2. Just started watching with the January tournament.
3 - Onosato has become my “guy” but Ura’s lively style of Sumo was fascinating to watch in the March tournament and really won myself and my wife over.
I’m reading from Rhode Island. I’ve found sumo interesting for a long time but never took the dive until January. I’m part of the CME community and knowing there would be others to talk about sumo with was all the incentive I needed. I’ve found it to be more than easy to become engrossed in and now go day to day trying not to talk about it with the people I encounter. I don’t know if I have a single favorite, but I’m certainly developing a stable of “my dudes.” Onosato, Ura, Takanosho, Big Sexy Takayasu, and of course it’s impossible not to cheer on Midorifuji!
I, like many people I am sure, came from your sumo reports on BE. I found myself drawn in and finally understanding a little bit more about sumo. For the last 3 tournaments I have progressively payed attention and this last one watched at least the highlights every day.
If you’d like, you can answer the following questions:
Q: Where are you reading from?
A: San Francisco California
Q: How long have you been following sumo?
A: Really since the new year.
Q: Who is your favourite active rikishi right now?
A: My son is small and his name is Masato so the two of us root for Midorifuji and Onosato based on size, name, but also because they are both fun to watch.
Reading from Virginia Beach, VA 23464. Been a fan since I lived in Tokyo 1987-89. My favorite rikishi back then was Daitetsu. My favorite now is Kinbozan
Great to see that Sumo Stump is gaining so much support.
I'm reading from Houston, Texas, USA. I've been following Sumo for about four years now. At the time, my TV package included NHK World Japan. As I like to surf channels I came across a Sumo broadcast and found myself watching more and more of it. It was quite sometime before I could remember the ranks in Sanyaku and their order. But I've learned a great deal since then. And your articles have really helped me gain a more in-depth understanding of the sport.
The rikishi I pull the most for is Kotoshoho. When he first came up I thought he had so much potential but he's never been able to realize it. Even falling back to Juryo for a while. Not sure he'll ever make Sanyaku but maybe he'll put it together one day.
My friends are surprised at my interest in Sumo but I can't get them to take it seriously. They just don't know what they're missing!
Hey all, proud Sumo Stomp subscriber here—slowly learning about this fascinating sport thanks to Tim’s excellent work. No favourites yet!
Hi,
I’m Danny, from the UK. I’m no expert, but I started watching sumo back in the 20th century, when our newest broadcaster Channel 4 (yep, we were pleased to have increased our choice of TV channels by 33% in one go) took up Sumo in 1988. Those were the golden days of the wolf Chiyonofuji and the flailing arms of Terao.
I lost track for quite a few years after Sumo was chopped from the schedules, but with the internet connecting communities I was lucky to be back on board to witness the greatness of Hakuho via YouTube.
What I love about Sumo: its rituals and stoicism. Its clever grading system that facilitates greatness and also competition. For each bout the sense of an impending thunderstorm as the rikishi prepare, knowing a lightning strike is likely (unless it was the dull rumble of Hokuseiho) but not knowing where or when.
Who do I like: Ura is my standout. The creativity and the joy no matter the result. I like Hoshoryu for his style. I like Takanosho as a standard sumo fighter from which to compare all others. And Tamawashi for his sheer endurance.
Sumo is not perfect as a sport or in how it is run, but it is always interesting, dynamic and it has a great foreign crowd of enthusiasts.
Thanks for bringing us together.
Hi Tim!
Hah! Just saw my husband commented already. We're from BC, about 3.5 hours east of Kelowna in the Kootenays.
We started watching with the January tournament. I would add Midorifuji to my list of favorites. I love seeing him quickly take those big guys down.
Hey, I'm in Arizona. I subbed because I'd like to learn more about sumo. (My newsletter focuses on championships and contenders from all over sports, and I'm trying to be as inclusive as possible.) I don't know enough to have a favorite yet!
Howdy!
1. In reading from Roseville, CA (next to Sacramento).
2. FRESH into sumo!
3. URA, URA, URA!
Hello all!
William from Colorado here (not Denver!). I first started watching Sumo in May 1999. I was attending a conference in Tokyo, had the later afternoons free, and the May Basho was on TV every afternoon. This was the days of Yokozuna Akebono, Ozeki (I think, and future Yokozuna) Musashimaru, and Terao (one of my favorites).
I tracked Sumo from a distance for years, until it became much easier over the last 10? 15? years to actually watch most of the Makuuchi matches.
In the current era, I like Midorifugi (penchant for the lighter Rikishi) and Hoshoryu. I am hoping Wakatakakage and Hakuoho can climb the ladder again.
I also wish there was some way for the Sumo rules to react to serious injury that wasn't so punishing to the Rikishi. Having to restart in the bottom three divisions can take another 1/2 to 1 year out of their careers.
Hello!
I’m reading from Detroit, MI.
I’m new to Sumo really, just started watching in January.
My guy is Kotonowaka. I feel like he is *this* close to winning his first basho.
Winnipegger
Just into sumo, I didn't even start at the beginning of the last tournament but a few days into it. But I fell for it hard. I also came to this sport and your work from the CME podcast
Favourite so far is Hoshoryu. I love his throws, both the successful ones and the hopeless attempts.
Minnesota. Last few matches here. Onosato. Random note- about day 8 I find my self randomly slapping my right side. Lol.
I'm from New York, now living a bit north of NYC.
I started watching Sumo on ESPN in the 90's.
I can't pick one favorite. Still hoping Shodai recovers his form (I know he won't).
Hi all.
1. I’m reading from British Columbia, Canada.
2. Just started watching with the January tournament.
3 - Onosato has become my “guy” but Ura’s lively style of Sumo was fascinating to watch in the March tournament and really won myself and my wife over.
I’m reading from Rhode Island. I’ve found sumo interesting for a long time but never took the dive until January. I’m part of the CME community and knowing there would be others to talk about sumo with was all the incentive I needed. I’ve found it to be more than easy to become engrossed in and now go day to day trying not to talk about it with the people I encounter. I don’t know if I have a single favorite, but I’m certainly developing a stable of “my dudes.” Onosato, Ura, Takanosho, Big Sexy Takayasu, and of course it’s impossible not to cheer on Midorifuji!
Hi Tim!
I, like many people I am sure, came from your sumo reports on BE. I found myself drawn in and finally understanding a little bit more about sumo. For the last 3 tournaments I have progressively payed attention and this last one watched at least the highlights every day.
If you’d like, you can answer the following questions:
Q: Where are you reading from?
A: San Francisco California
Q: How long have you been following sumo?
A: Really since the new year.
Q: Who is your favourite active rikishi right now?
A: My son is small and his name is Masato so the two of us root for Midorifuji and Onosato based on size, name, but also because they are both fun to watch.
Reading from Virginia Beach, VA 23464. Been a fan since I lived in Tokyo 1987-89. My favorite rikishi back then was Daitetsu. My favorite now is Kinbozan
At the risk of diverting these comments away from the original intention... A trivia question for you all.
How many kimarite can you name from memory? Definitions not required, just the name.
e.g. yorikiri, oshidashi, etc. No cheating allowed!
I think I could manage 15-20.
Great to see that Sumo Stump is gaining so much support.
I'm reading from Houston, Texas, USA. I've been following Sumo for about four years now. At the time, my TV package included NHK World Japan. As I like to surf channels I came across a Sumo broadcast and found myself watching more and more of it. It was quite sometime before I could remember the ranks in Sanyaku and their order. But I've learned a great deal since then. And your articles have really helped me gain a more in-depth understanding of the sport.
The rikishi I pull the most for is Kotoshoho. When he first came up I thought he had so much potential but he's never been able to realize it. Even falling back to Juryo for a while. Not sure he'll ever make Sanyaku but maybe he'll put it together one day.
My friends are surprised at my interest in Sumo but I can't get them to take it seriously. They just don't know what they're missing!