Posted on 01/25/2026 4:22:46 AM PST by sushiman
New ozeki Aonishiki won back-to-back championships Sunday at the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament by defeating fourth-ranked maegashira Atamifuji in a tie-breaking playoff.
(Excerpt) Read more at mainichi.jp ...
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It should stay Japanese.
I always enjoyed watching sumo when I was stationed in Japan. Even went to few of the basho. It was interesting. The retirement of Chionofuji was a big deal back in 1991.
Maybe Al Gore will take up Sumo Wrestling...He has the build for it.
Watched one of the teams practice in their “stable”. A tough sport. Very friendly group. Their trainer was a former champion. Massive and more handsome guy than you’d expect. Said he played golf with Trump in Florida.
I’ve lived in Japan since 1985 and have fond memories of watching sumo with my Japanese wife back then when Chionofuji was at his peak . Only saw sumo live once and it was a danpatsushiki for Asahio . I got free tickets through a private student of mine and took a Japanese friend . The wife stayed home with our baby daughter . She and I quit watching sumo for many years but started watching again about 2 years ago . Where were you stationed ?
“””””ozeki Aonishiki defeating maegashira Atamifuji”””””
Those people need some Americanized names Ozzy defeated Maggy?.
Yeah, but could he have taken on Muhammad ali?
It stopped being Japanese in the 80s when Akebono and Konishiki were brought from Hawaii. They’ve been through recruiting in Korea, Mongolia, and now they focus on eastern Europe.
I can remember that but I was ok with the Hawaiian. It’s like the aquarium in SF where fish from the Amazon shared the same tank with fish from Africa. Us layman wouldn’t know.
I’m really waiting for the NFL to recruit sumo wrestlers to play on the defensive lines. They gotta be stronger than the guys on offense. Problem is the Japanese have short legs and can’t run.
I did three years at Yokota, up the Ome line from Shinjuku and get off at the Fussa station. Very near Tachikawa; not too far from Hachioji. I really enjoyed my time there.
I’m actually overdue for a visit. I was supposed to get back there on a field trip with my son, and then Covid hit.
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