I have become obsessed with Sumo. Actually, my daughter became obsessed with it (don't ask) and I've been naturally trying to keep up and enjoying every minute of it.
The Tokyo fall basho is on right now. Each basho - there's six each year, one every two months - is 15 days long with everyone having one fight per day. Day 8 is on right now. You can watch a 15-minute daily highlight package by Kintamayama (in japanese with subtitles) on YouTube which is up more or less as soon as the day ends in Japan. An English language version - about 23 minutes long - from NHK (look for Robert Mensing's feed on youtube) is up with about a 12-hour delay. So it's easy to follow in real time.
I'm a couple of days behind right now (catching up while waiting for LA/TFC to start) but this is a very weird tournament. 3 of the 4 Yokozunas (the top rank) withdrew before it started, Most of the remaining top ranks - (Yokozuna/Ozeki/Komosubi/Sekiwake) have been having absolutely 'mares, except for one Ozeki named Goeidu who is winning mostly through constant unsportsmanlike conduct.
It is a brilliant sport. Fast, violent and totally zen. No displays of emotion allowed whatsoever. And constant promotion/relegation both within and across ranks. Super-hierarchical.
Go ahead, ask me anything. Or better yet, watch a few days' worth of highlights. It's great fun.
The Tokyo fall basho is on right now. Each basho - there's six each year, one every two months - is 15 days long with everyone having one fight per day. Day 8 is on right now. You can watch a 15-minute daily highlight package by Kintamayama (in japanese with subtitles) on YouTube which is up more or less as soon as the day ends in Japan. An English language version - about 23 minutes long - from NHK (look for Robert Mensing's feed on youtube) is up with about a 12-hour delay. So it's easy to follow in real time.
I'm a couple of days behind right now (catching up while waiting for LA/TFC to start) but this is a very weird tournament. 3 of the 4 Yokozunas (the top rank) withdrew before it started, Most of the remaining top ranks - (Yokozuna/Ozeki/Komosubi/Sekiwake) have been having absolutely 'mares, except for one Ozeki named Goeidu who is winning mostly through constant unsportsmanlike conduct.
It is a brilliant sport. Fast, violent and totally zen. No displays of emotion allowed whatsoever. And constant promotion/relegation both within and across ranks. Super-hierarchical.
Go ahead, ask me anything. Or better yet, watch a few days' worth of highlights. It's great fun.
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