Trump plans to present sumo winner with own namesake trophy

The Asahi Shimbun ^ | May 12, 2019

[2ndDivisionVet]

U.S. President Donald Trump, who has stamped his name on virtually every product and property in his business empire, plans to leave his mark on the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo, which began May 12.

He will present a custom-made trophy called the "Trump Cup" to the winner.

The president, who will visit Japan from May 25 to May 28 as a state guest, is expected to watch the final day of the tournament on May 26 at the Ryogoku Kokugikan in the capital. He plans to stay to the awards ceremony afterward to climb in the dohyo and hand the cup to the champion wrestler.

Presentation of the Trump Cup will follow the awarding of the Emperor’s Cup, the championship flag and the Prime Minister’s Cup, according to Japanese government officials.

Trump mentioned his plans to attend the sumo tournament along with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at a joint news conference in Washington on April 26 before their meeting.

"I've always found that fascinating," Trump said of sumo. "We're having a trophy made in this country. We're going to give the trophy to the winner of the championship."

Former French President Jacques Chirac set the precedent of a foreign dignitary presenting a trophy to the sumo tournament winner. Chirac, known as an avid sumo fan, in 2000 started the tradition of giving a trophy named the “President of the Republic of French Cup,” dubbed the "Chirac Cup," at every grand sumo tournament for the following seven years.

[redshawk]

Should be a great time. Especially the final day of the tournament. It will be a media circus in Japan leading up to it. Must read the Japan Times that week. It’s online.

I’ve been to that tournament a few different times. Great sporting event. I’m curious as to what Trump will wear. Shoes are not permitted on the Dohyo as it is considered clean and pure. That’s why the wrestler tosses salt into the air. To keep the ring pure.

These wrestlers are massive. Especially the ones from Samoa. They’re very strong and very agile. The top wrestlers are treated like royalty.

Just incase you’re curious
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2080.html

[Hot Tabasco]

Shoes are not permitted on the Dohyo

Does everyone have to leave them outside on the porch with someone's mom standing there saying "Take your shoes off!" ?

[redshawk]

Does everyone have to leave them outside on the porch with someone’s mom standing there saying “Take your shoes off!” ?

---

Only a select group of folks are permitted to be on the Dohyo.
Wrestlers go bare foot. Priest and other helper type wear special slippers. I don’t recall exactly what happens when dignitaries are present. I guess I never paid that close attention to it.

However, if Trump must remove his shoes, the Japanese will ensure that it’s done in a most dignified manner.

[Doogle]

"I heard he's gonna introduce Sumo High Diving for the Tokyo Olympics"

[knarf]

5 minutes

[Eric in the Ozarks]

I miss Ricky Dozan...

[OKSooner]

Very cool. I hope he has fun doing it.

[Alas Babylon!]

...President of the Republic of French...???

Shouldn't that be President of the Republic of FRANCE?

French is the language and people. France is the country....

[Doogle]

Hey, I watch it on NHK every once in awhile

[9YearLurker]

So are wrestlers without big bellies and flabby butts no good at sumo — or just not allowed?

[redshawk]

So are wrestlers without big bellies and flabby butts no good at sumo — or just not allowed?

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In Sumo, weight matters. Don’t be fooled into thinking or comparing a Sumo wrestler (Rikishi) with a obese slob. They are well seasoned athletes. Very limber, great muscle tone, and quick.

Some of the junior wrestlers are slender compared to the upper class men. The Dave and Goliath matches are fun to watch. The smaller wrestlers do indeed beat the bigger guys. Not often, but it does happen.

[redshawk]

Rikidozen was before my time. Lots of my older friends remember him well and speak highly of him. At the local pub, bring up his name to a old timer and get ready for a heated debate. Some argue he was cheated out of being Yokozuna because he was Korean. Some say not. I guess we will never know. Kinda like who killed JFK.

My favorite was Musashimaru. Mid 90s. He had great balance.

[spokeshave]

“President of the Republic of French Cup,” dubbed the "Chirac Cup,"

The Chirac Cup....snicker

Fitting for a democrat....more snicker.

[9YearLurker]

I can see weight in general as making it harder for the other guy to push you around and easier to push him around, and I suppose there is something for an easily low center of gravity, too.

But I wonder how the 6’7” football lineman model, trained properly, would do against these bowling balls.

[redshawk]

Thanks for the video. Hakuho 42 wins. Amazing.

[9YearLurker]

Via wikipedia:

“Naruhito is the current Emperor of Japan. He acceded to the Chrysanthemum Throne on 1 May 2019, beginning the Reiwa era, following the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito, on 30 April 2019. He is the 126th monarch according to Japan’s traditional order of succession.”

Eat your heart out, Prince Charles!

[redshawk]

But I wonder how the 6’7” football lineman model, trained properly, would do against these bowling balls.

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I’m glad you asked. In 92 I had the honor to to train Aussie and Kiwi rugby players to wrestle the lower rank Sumo wrestlers. Had 30 days to teach them the art of Sumo. My team was big guys. 6-6, 250,300lbs. We lost every match. They fought yard. Just weren’t quick enough. Most weren’t strong enough.

We all had fun. Nobody was seriously injured.
Now, you must understand, Sumo is a way of life. That’s all you do. 24/7 training. You live together in a training facility called a stable. Many Americans have become champion.

[9YearLurker]

Interesting. And yes, hardly any sport could be mastered with a 30-day trial.