Posted on 05/26/2019 3:51:41 AM PDT by Candor7
U.S. President Donald Trump attended a sumo tournament in Tokyo on Sunday, watching the action from a specially prepared seat near the ring, and presented an American-made trophy to the victor.
Trump was hosted by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the final day of the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament at Ryogoku Kokugikan. He climbed into the raised ring to present the newly made trophy, informally dubbed the "Trump Cup," to the winner at the conclusion of the 15-day meet.
"In honor of your outstanding achievement as sumo grand champion, I hereby award you the United States President's Cup," Trump said before handing a certificate to Asanoyama, a 25-year-old rank-and-file wrestler.
The president, wearing black slippers instead of leather shoes, took the ring via a staircase instead of using the steps cut into the ring's clay, bowed slightly and smiled to the crowd. He lifted the 1.37-meter silverware with some help, and handed it to the newly-crowned champion.
While spectators in ringside boxes normally sit on cushions with their legs crossed, tradition was cast aside for Trump and his wife Melania, who watched the final five bouts of the tournament sitting in chairs alongside Abe and his wife Akie.
Trump, who became the first U.S. president to attend a sumo tournament during his term, was greeted by excited fans who waved and took photographs as he entered the arena.
Trump, who is known for being a fan of combat sports, said in April that he has "always found that (sumo) fascinating," and revealed he would present a custom-made trophy to the tournament's winner.
The White House said Saturday the trophy is about 137-centimeters tall and weighs between 27 and 31 kilograms.
Sumo, in which oversized wrestlers compete on a sandy surface called the "dohyo," has been used many times in the past to entertain foreign dignitaries during their visits to Japan. While most distinguished guests, including members of the Japanese imperial family, sit in more-distant seats that are reserved, Trump was seated in an area close to the action.
In 1996, former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuhiro Nakasone took French President Jacques Chirac, a well-known sumo enthusiast, to a tournament. Chirac gifted a trophy to the winner of every grand tournament between 2001 and 2007 before he left office.
Former Mongolian Prime Minister Miyeegombyn Enkhbold watched a bout between two wrestlers from his country at a tournament in 2006.
The Japan Sumo Association had been preparing to host the U.S. president since before Trump revealed to reporters in April he wanted to watch a bout during his state visit.
The sport's governing body, well known for upholding the traditions of the ancient sport with religious roots, opted to break with custom on this occasion.
(Summer Grand Sumo Tournament winner Asanoyama (L) receives a special American-made trophy from U.S. President Donald Trump.)
"President Trump likes combat sports. So he will enjoy it more if he sits near the ring rather than looking down from the royal box seats located on the second floor," an official of the Cabinet Office said.
Spectators attending the tournament had to go through an inspection of their bags, in addition to submitting their personal information including named, addresses and phone numbers to the association.
They were not allowed re-entry after 3 p.m., nearly two hours before the president's arrival.
Trump and Abe are scheduled to have dinner at a traditional Japanese charcoal grill restaurant in the capital after the sumo competition. The two leaders played a round of golf at the Mobara Country Club in Chiba earlier in the day.
The main item on the president's agenda during his four-day visit is a meeting with newly enthroned Japanese Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako.
President Trump is well liked in Japan, and Japan has fallen in love with Melania's magic. This will bode well for US trade talks with Japan,especially agriculture.
Kudos to President Trump and the 1st lady for doing such a great job in representing America to a free Asian country.
East meets Western Sumo trophy Ping !
Is it me or is cock fighting more pleasing to the eye?
Is it me or is cock fighting more pleasing to the eye?>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Well, i guess that depends on whose cock you’re holding?
Roster man, rosters!
Well, that was queer -
Did you perhaps mean to say ROOSTERS?
How does one get on that roster?
Quiet piking on me.
Quiet piking on me.
Thank God Trump didn’t barf in Abe’s lap.
As always, in antibush fake news, you omit the fact that it was Korean food that made him sick
Amazing. Show me any other 74 year old man who would be comfortable lifting (even with assistance) and presenting something over 4 feet tall and weighing between 60-70 lbs.
Pretty cool. He is liked in the rest of the world more than than here.
Thank God Trump didn’t barf in Abe’s lap.>>>>>>>>>
PDJT is one up on the Bush chart.
Obama was far worse than any of them, sitting sucking a Popsicle in the middle of a sacred Shinto Ritual. Remembering that photo still makes me shiver at Obama’s banality and lack of genuine understanding. Obama was an actor who understood very little, a mere shuck and jive artist. The Japanese saw through him from the beginning. The Japanese disliked Obama, thy put on a good face and tolerated the fool.But they treated Obama like an enemy behind closed doors.
I am so glad that PDJT is well liked in Japan, and our president is is much closer to what most Americans feel about Japan. This initiative looks like widow dressing back home here in the USA, but it has powerful repercussions on our defense against China and North Korea. The Japanese will more readily back us up now over the long haul against Red China and North Korea. And it all comnes from a trophy at a session of sacred Sumo, while most of the rest of the world finds it merely amusing.
I’ve never even been to Britain, and would not, could not, piking here or there. I would not piking anywhere.
The Donald still can wrestle a heavy object. 925 Stirling is not light.
I am impressed too.
Your queer comment was about holding cocks.
Sumo is fine. You comment wasn’t.
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