MUSOYAMA TAKES HATSU BASHO FOR FIRST YUSHO!
Blasts Out Kaio on Senshuraku To Clinch Yusho
By Yukikaze (Jim Lowerre)

The year 2000 marks the 400th anniversary of Sekigahara, the greatest battle of the samurai era which unified Japan under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate.

The 2000 Hatsu Basho was likewise hard-fought, with no quarter asked or given. At its end a veteran rikishi would finally fulfill the promise he'd shown when he first entered the ranks; a long-running streak would be broken; a former ozeki would make history - and there would be proof once and for all that the mantle of power that once draped the shoulders of
Futagoyama Beya had been passed to Musashigawa Beya's "College of Sumo Knowledge".

The biggest surprise came early in the action on day 3 when yokozuna #1-East MUSASHIMARU withdrew from the competition due to a wrist injury. Prior to this the huge Hawaiian had competed in 735 consecutive Makunouchi bouts without any time on Kosho Seido. (See accompanying article.)

With the Musashigawa heyagashira unexpectedly on the sidelines, the junior members of the contingent - college champions all - decided it was their time to 'make hay'. The "Twin Peaks", sekiwake #2-East MUSOYAMA and komusubi-west MIYABIYAMA, started strong and did not let up despite trailing in the early going. It was MIYABIYAMA who beat yokozuna #2-West AKEBONO on day 9 to allow MUSOYAMA to pull into a tie for the lead. The oldest collegian dropped back when he lost on day 10 to sekiwake #1-West TOCHIAZUMA, but was back in a five-way race when AKEBONO surrendered a kinboshi to maegashira #4-East TOCHINONADA on day 12. Given a chance to narrow the field on day 13 the "Twin Peaks" took complete advantage: MUSOYAMA took down maegashira #11-East CHIYOTENZAN while MIYABIYAMA polished off #13-East KYOKUTENHO to leave the chase between AKEBONO and themselves.

On day 14, while MIYABIYAMA and AKEBONO lost to maegashira #12-East TAKANOWAKA and ozeki-West CHIYOTAIKAI respectively, MUSOYAMA bested KYOKUTENHO to take the lead for himself. On senshuraku MUSOYAMA blasted longtime rival sekiwake #1-East KAIO to the clay for a 13-2 record, and his first championship.

In becoming the third Musashigawa deshi to hold the Emperor's Cup in a span of one year, MUSOYAMA extends the heya's string of consecutive yusho to six. This marks the first time since 1989 that a heya other than Futagoyama has won six titles in a row. MIYABIYAMA finished with a strong 12-3 to share jun-yusho honors with yokozuna #1-West TAKANOHANA. As if that were not enough the "Twin Peaks" shared the Shukun-sho (Outstanding Performance Prize) while MUSOYAMA grabbed the Gino-Sho (Technical Prize).

AKEBONO was a man with a mission he chose to accept: win a tenth Emperor's Cup before age, injuries and younger opposition made it problematic. It was already a ripe opportunity with yokozuna #1-West WAKANOHANA absent: when MUSASHIMARU withdrew his chances became even rosier. AKEBONO came out of the gate with 8 consecutive wins to become the first Makunouchi rikishi to kachi-koshi, but any chance at zensho yusho went by the boards when MIYABIYAMA defeated him on day 9. This allowed MUSOYAMA, whom he had
already bested, to draw even. One day later Azumazeki's heyagashira pulled ahead; but when he surrendered a kinboshi to maegashira #4-East TOCHINONADA the race for the hardware became a five-way tie. The senior yokozuna finally fell off the pace when CHIYOTAIKAI pushed him over the bales on day 14. Any chance for a playoff crumbled with KAIO's loss to the surging MUSOYAMA: a crushout loss to TAKANOHANA on senshuraku capped an 11-4 performance that just had to feel anticlimactic.

The third member of the "College of Sumo Knowledge", ozeki-East DEJIMA lost 3 of his first 4 matches before rolling off 7 straight wins. He was unable to help his juniors in their quest for the laurels, losing to AKEBONO on day 13. On the banzuke's other side, defending Hatsu champ CHIYOTAIKAI got a 'ripping' in the newspapers from his oyakata after a lackluster 1-3 start. The message got through loud and clear: he won 7 of his next 8 to go 8-4 after 12 days. Both ozeki finished with 9-6 passing grades.

Up until now only one sumotori who fell from ozeki to sekiwake subsequently regained the higher rank: MIENOUMI (now the very happy Musashigawa Oyakata) who eventually earned yokozuna promotion. With as good an effort as seen out of him in some time, sekiwake #2-West TAKANONAMI just managed to duplicate MIENOUMI's feat. He won his first 4 bouts before falling to AKEBONO, then swapped wins and losses to stand at 7-2 on day 9. Three successive defeats placed him in jeopardy of losing his opportunity, but he finished with three wins to get the 10-5 he needed to be reranked at ozeki on the Haru banzuke.

The inconsistency that has blocked KAIO's road to ozeki promotion surfaced yet again. Tomozuna's strongman went 7-8 with all of those wins over maegashira: the other joi-jin put the shinai to the "Human Juicer". On the other side of the banzuke TOCHIAZUMA was having problems as well. The son of Tamanoi Oyakata did not have to fight MUSASHIMARU as KAIO did, but he did best CHIYOTAIKAI and MUSOYAMA on his way to an 8-7 record. (How is it that sekiwake #1-East KAIO and sekiwake #1-West TOCHIAZUMA did not fight each other?) While MIYABIYAMA was having a grand time komusubi-West TOSANOUMI seemed to have trouble staying above water: he defeated DEJIMA and TAKANOHANA but struggled to post an 8-7.

And now: the current episode of the "As Futagoyama Beya Turns" soap opera. TAKANOHANA was a non-factor in the championship chase. A gold-star loss to maegashira #2-East KOTONOWAKA on day 3 and successive losses to MUSOYAMA and TOSANOUMI left him at 7-3 on day 10. His day 2 win over TOCHIAZUMA was his 600th Makunouchi Division victory. With the Yokozuna Deliberation Council's warning probably still ringing in his ears WAKANOHANA made himself scarce this time out: he is expected to compete in Osaka in March. Further down the banzuke maegashira #4-West AKINOSHIMA stood 6-3 after day 9 but fell apart when pitted against the joi-jin, losing 5 straight and finishing at 7-8. #10-East TAKATORIKI could not get well against the weaker talent in the lower ranks, lost his first 5 bouts and posted a 6-9: the spectre of Juryo demotion now looms large for the man who has now fought 855 top-division matches without a Public Injury sidelining. It has now been eight basho since the Emperor's Cup has been in Futagoyama hands.

The upper tier maegashira took a beating: all 10 rikishi from maegashira #1 down to #5 finished make-koshi. #7-East TERAO gained his 600th Makunouchi victory but finished with a 5-10. Unlike his stable senior CHIYOTENZAN needed no chastisement from the man who had been the legendary Chiyonofuji: he was in the yusho hunt until day 12 and finished at 9-6. He may have lost out of the title race, but KYOKUTENHO finished with a strong 11-4 to lead the hiramaku and share the Kanto-Sho (Fighting Spirit Prize) with TAKANOWAKA, who went 10-5. Other scores of note: #7-West WAKANOYAMA (9-6) and #11-West TOKITSUUMI (9-6).

In Juryo action, former komusubi and current #2-East OGINISHIKI won the yusho at 13-2 to earn a return to the 'bright lights'. He will be joined by #1-East HAYATEUMI, who went 12-3. #1-West DAIZEN may also return to Makunouchi on the strength of a 10-5 performance. Sadogatake Beya's new 'short-hair', collegian KOTOMITSUKI, posted an 11-4 at #7-East. TAKAMISAKARI, AKEBONO's stablemate, went 7-8 as a shin-Juryo. Familiar faces who went kachi: MITOIZUMI (8-7), KITAKACHIDOKI (9-6), AKINOSHU (10-5) and TOMONOHANA (9-6). The gaijin element struggled: #3-West HOSHITANGO went 5-10 while #9-West SENTORYU scraped out a 7-8.

In the junior divisions the yusho winners were:
Makushita: #36-West NODERA (Matsugane Beya): 7-0
Sandanme: #35-West SANAGUCHI (Minezaki Beya): 7-0
Jonidan: #94-West TSUJI (Naruto Beya): 7-0
Jonokuchi: #34-West KAWADA (Futagoyama Beya): 7-0

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MUSASHIMARU WITHDRAWS DUE TO INJURY 
By Yukikaze

Yokozuna MUSASHIMARU withdrew from the 2000 Hatsu Basho on the third day of competition. The reason given was the aggravation of an injury to his left wrist, which had been sustained prior to shonichi. This marks the first time the second non-Japanese grand champion has even displayed any external evidence of an injury. And it brings to an end a record for consistency and durability that had been his hallmark: he had never earned less than 8 wins in any one of his previous 49 Makunouchi basho.

Maegashira KOTONOWAKA becomes the answer to the trivia question, "Who is the first rikishi ever to gain a win over MUSASHIMARU by fusen-sho (default)?"

No other rikishi with MUSASHIMARU's length of experience has risen as high on the banzuke without spending time on the Public Injury shelf. At the start of this tournament his Makunouchi win-loss-no contest record was 526-209-000. By comparison AKEBONO's record was 490-184-166; TAKANOHANA's record was 598-188-58; and WAKANOHANA's was 485-246-109.  CHIYONOFUJI's career record was 807-253-144; KITANOUMI's, 804-247-107; and TAIHO's, 746-144-136.

These active rikishi had spent no time on Kosho Seido as of the start of the 2000 Hatsu Basho 
(minimum 450 Makunouchi bouts):

TAKATORIKI 840 (435-405)
MUSASHIMARU 735 (526-209)
HAMANOSHIMA 540 (247-293)
ASANOWAKA 480 (226-254)

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BOW-TWIRLER TO RETIRE
(from Sumo Web news sources)

WAKAKAZE, the rikishi who has performed the yumitori-shiki (bow-twirling ceremony) at the end of each and every day for 28 basho, is retiring from sumo with the conclusion of the Hatsu Basho. A member of Futagoyama Beya, WAKAKAZE was ranked at makushita #31-East for the Hatsu Basho. His highest career ranking was makushita #3.

No replacement has yet been selected. However, since it is customary that this duty is given to a Makushita wrestler from the heya of the dominant yokozuna, the next bow-twirler will most likely be a member of the Musashigawa Beya. The rikishi who performs this ceremony gets to wear a kesho-mawashi and have his hair styled in an oicho-mage, both privileges reserved for senior wrestlers. The duty seems to have a 'jinx' attached to it: very few of the rikishi who have performed the ceremony have made it to the sekitori ranks.

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GOLTZ SUMO 3
By Tonkatsu (Harry Dudrow)

Goltz Sumo 3, held on Saturday January 22nd, was the the best yet! Nineteen boys and five girls contested seven divisions, and nine men contested three. This compared to fourteen boys and three girls in Goltz Sumo 1.

Ten members of the Long Beach Police Athletic League sumo club traveled to the Claremont, for their first competition. The team consisted of eight boys and two girls, ranging in age from eight to twelve. The Long Beach contingent consisted of: Lian Raya and Christopher Kindred age 8, Ngoc Phan, Elvis Raya and John Kindred age 9, Corey Carter and Tyshonn Cade age 10, Nghia Phan and Keith Edington age 11 and Shawn Edington age 12. They were accompanied by Long Beach Police officers Larry Jones and Sgt. Karen Daeley. Southern California Sumo Kyokai President Harry "Tonkatsu" Dudrow coached, and his wife Ning prepared rice and chanko nabe (sumo stew).

In addition to individual medals in three age and size divisions, the PAL team also competed with the host Goltz Judo Club for a team trophy. In the individual competitions, PAL team members took 2 gold, 1 silver, and 3 bronze medals. They also won 2 of 3 fighting spirit awards given out. The team trophy was awarded on the basis of the point value of all medals won by both clubs in divisions where both were represented. The point value was 5 for gold 3 for silver and 1 for bronze. PAL's 2 gold 1 silver and 3 bronze added up to 16 points. The Goltz club won 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze for 12 points.

The results of all divisions in the tournament were as follows:

Division One
All six year Olds1. Raul Guedea. 2. Jordan Morales 
3. Katherine Carrasco (Goltz)
Division Two
Seven & small eight
1. Jacob Rogers 2. Mathew Rossbach
3. Charlie Sykes 4. Joshua Morales (fighting spirit award) All from Temecula Valley Judo Club.
Division Three
Eights & Nines
1. Ngoc Phan (PAL) 2. Gabrielle Carrasco (Goltz) 3. Christopher Kindred (PAL) 4. Elvis Raya (PAL) (fighting spirit award) 5. Lian Raya (PAL) Sama Laxineta (Temecula) tie.
Division Four
Big nine to small eleven
1. Tavis Smith (Goltz) 2. Ngia Phan (PAL)
3. John Kindred (PAL) 4. Kieth Edington (PAL)
Division Five
Big ten to small thirteen
1. Corey Carter (PAL) 2. Jeremy Hagen (Goltz) 3. Shawn Edington (PAL) 4. Gabe Goltz (Goltz) 5. Tyshonn Cade (fighting spirit award)
Division Six
Other twelves
1.Leanne Laxinetta (Temecula) 
2.JoshHaben (Goltz) 3. Brandon Greiner (Goltz)
Division Seven
Big boys
1. Nathan Goltz (Goltz) 2. Austin Provencher (Goltz) 3. Sharif Ali (Goltz)
Men's Lightweights
1. Andrew Freund (SoCalSumo)
2. Nick Niakan (Goltz) 3. Jonathon Rafe (Goltz)
Men's Heavyweights
1. Jose Gonzales (Goltz) 2. Mike Peru (Tucson) 3. Jim Lowerre (SoCalSumo) 4. Allen Johnson & Robert Fisher (NoCalSumo) 6. Harry Dudrow (SoCalSumo)
Men's Open
8 man double elimination
Round one: Jim Lowerre D. Mike Peru. Andrew Freund D. Nick Niakan. Jose Gonzales D. Robert Fisher. Harry Dudrow D. Jonathon Rafe. Round two. Jim Lowerre D. Andrew Freund. Harry Dudrow D. Jose Gonzales. Ist place match, Jim Lowerre D. Harry Dudrow (Harry to 2nd pl. match. Repechage: Mike Peru D. Nick Niakan. Robert Fisher D. Jonathon Rafe. Jose Gonzales D. Andrew Freund. Mike Peru D. Robert Fisher. Jose Gonzales D. Mike Peru to advance to 2nd place match. Jose Gonzales D. Harry Dudrow.
Final results 1. Jim Lowerre 2. Jose Gonzales 3. Harry Dudrow

Old Boys (40+) Open
There were three competitors in the tournament over age 40, Jim Lowerre, age 46, Allen Johnson and Harry Dudrow, both 59. All three competed against the young guys in the heavyweight division, and Jim and Harry competed in the open division. Jim Lowerre placed 1st in the open division and 3rd in the heavyweights. Harry placed 3rd in the open division.

The awards for the old boys competition were based on the results of the head to head competition between the three in the heavyweight round robin. 
1. Allen Johnson 2-0 2. Jim Lowerre 1-1 2. 3. Harry Dudrow 0-2

All matches in the tournament were refereed by Mr. Ernie Hunt, who brought Robert Fisher down from Vallejo for his first competition.

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CHANKO NABE FOR TWO
By Tonkatsu

We have been making chanko nabe at our house for two years, and while it may not be up to authentic heya standards we like it. In addition to making it at home we have served at the annual Goltz Sumo tournament. The first year the small pot went so fast that poor "Yukikaze" didn't even get any. Last year we brought a bigger pot. The kids always ask me if we are going to serve it at the next tournament.

Basic recipes for chanko can be found in The Big Book of Sumo by Mina Hall, Stone Bridge Press, 1997 and Rikishi, The Men of Sumo by Joel Sackett and Wes Benson, John Weatherhill, Inc. 1986. The latter book in particular, gave me the idea for the title of this article. It gives two recipes taken down at Kokonoe beya. It is the sheer volume of the major ingredients that struck me. For instance, one calls for "20 kilos (44 pounds) of fresh non-flaky white fish"! The other calls for "10 kilos (22 pounds) of thinly-sliced fresh pork"!

The basic recipe we use at Tonkatsu beya, is "Soppu dakki chankonabe" as found in The Big Book of Sumo". We toss the carcass of a roast chicken into a pot and boil it down to make a broth. This can be reinforced with chicken bouillon or, ready made broth. In either case, add some shoyu (soy sauce) to taste. In fact, if you don't have a chicken carcass handy, just use broth. I start by putting a sheet of onigiri nori (dried sea weed) in the bottom of the pot, followed by the chicken. Next add chopped vegetables, starting with the ones that take longest to cook. We usually use carrots, daikon (white radish) spring onions, and Napa cabbage. Other choices include bok choy and fresh spinach. Basically, use anything you want. When the soup is ready add tofu, medium to firm, depending on your taste. At Goltz Sumo, we usually toss in sliced weiners, which is popular with the kids. We always put udon in our chanko, but that's another option. Enjoy.

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TECHNIQUE CORNER -- Finishing off an Ashitori
By Tonkatsu

As most of our readers know, there are seventy officially recognized winning techniques in sumo. However, less than twenty of them are seen on anything close to a regular basis in pro sumo. Some of them are rarly if ever seen. When was the last time you saw a shumokuzori or a tasukizori? Never in this writers case. I'm sure there are many reasons for this, but the primary one is undoubtedly the fact that todays rikishi are so big as to render many techniques physically impossible. Both of the techniques mentioned involve lifting your opponent completely up onto your shoulders and dropping him backwards onto the ground! Try and picture that with someone who weighs over 300lbs. much less over 500!

One of the things I like about amateur sumo with its weight divisions is the fact that in the lightweight and middleweight divisions all kind of possibilities are opened up. In this column we are going to look at some of the techniques that are rarely if ever seen in pro sumo, and ones from judo and wrestling, and see how they could be used by amateurs.

In this issue we are going to look at ashitori, a technique that we occasionally see in pro sumo. When I have seen ashitori used, it has usually been by someone like Mainoumi. In ashitori, the attacker grabs his opponent under one knee with both hands and attempts to dump him on his back. What most commonly happens is that the opponent hops around on one leg trying to get out of the hold and ends up being walked out of the ring. 

Ashitori is popular with the kids in my sumo class at the Police Athletic League, and several of them have proven quite adept at keeping from being walked out of the ring. The question has arisen, "Can I kick his other leg out from under him?" Of course, the answer is yes, but how to go about it. I chanced upon the answer one Saturday at judo class. We were working on a judo technique called "Ouchi-gari (Large inner reap)". In Kodokan Judo Master Kano describes Ouchi-gari this way: "After breaking your opponent's balance to his left back corner, reap his left leg from the inside with your right leg so that he falls backward." The actual reap is described as follows: "He will advance his left foot. Just before he sets his foot down, slip your right leg in behind his left leg, bring the back of your knee against the back of his left knee. Clip the leg in a wide arc towards your right back corner." In ashitori, I already have all of my opponents weight on his left leg, it is a simple step inside from there to reap that leg out from under and put him on the deck..

I hit upon all this when I tried grabbing my judo opponents right leg and then reaping his left, down he went. The catch in judo is that I have only three seconds to reap the left leg after I grab his knee or I get called for stalling, not a problem in sumo. Self defense note: Sensei Goltz saw me do this and suggested that I have my opponent throw a front kick at me. He did, I caught him under the kicking knee and reaped the other leg out from under him.

The key to this move is placing the back of your knee against the back of your opponent's knee. If you just put your heel against his he might try hopping over your foot, something that several of my kids have tried. If your opponent does try that, bring your knee up into the back of his thigh and turn the throw into a yaguranage (inner thigh throw).

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TONKATSU DOES "THE X SHOW"
By Tonkatsu

We receive calls on a fairly regular basis from Hollywood people looking for sumo types for one project or another. Either that or other types of information about sumo. We recently had two such calls, one from a set designer who needed to create a dohyo for a commercial, and one from a cable show called "The X Show". The X Show was looking for sumo types for a segment on there show called "Know The Rules". As is always the case in such instances, I had to tell him that none of us looked like Japanese sumo wrestlers except for one friend who was a SAG and AFTRA member. 

I subsequently had several phone and e-mail conversations with X show producer Jenny Daly in which I assured her that the only "Stereotypical" sumo types in L.A. were union members. I would have given her my good friend Ichiro Banno's name, but she said they didn't want to pay union scale. I told Jenny that we were more interested in promoting amateur sumo than the stereotypical image of sumo as just a game for huge fat men. I was trying to sell her on "Yukikaze" and myself. The reply was that they wanted me as the guest expert, but that her executive producer insisted that the other person had to be a "Stereotypical" sumo type, and was that OK with me.  I replied that it was, and that I would be curious to see who they came up with. Two days later, she called me to tell me that they had found someone, and that his name was Ichiro! I couldn't resist a friendly told you so.

While all this was going on, I had told someone that I might be on The X Show. Although he had never seen the show, he told me that he had been told that it was a raunchy show, and that they might do things to make fun of and embarrass us. I shared this with Jenny, and told her that while we didn't mind a little joking around, we didn't want to do anything to embarrass ourselves or our sport. I was assured that nothing of that nature would happen.

The show was to be taped on a Wednesday, but they needed me (but not Ichiro) to come up on Tuesday to set up the dohyo and do a run through. On the set I was introduced to the executive producer, who's name was Hal. The first words out of Hal's mouth were "He's not big enough to be a sumo wrestler". I wasted no time in setting Hal straight. I pointed out that at 6'2" and 261lbs. I was bigger than TERAO who had just beaten 494lb. MUSASHIMARU in the Kyushu basho. After that, Hal and I got along just fine. 

I am happy to report, that they played it entirely straight and we had a lot of fun. The X Show has four host who do different segments. My host was John, and we hit it off from the start. The segment was only eight minutes but we got plenty in.

When John introduced me, I came out in my yukata. John remarked on the fact that he couldn't help but notice that I was a white man. I told him that "In the world of amateur sumo, we come in all shapes, sizes and colors. I happen to represent the old bald headed white guys division."

After a brief discussion of the object of the sport, Ichiro was introduced. I shed my yukata and John noted the fact that I was wearing bicycle shorts. I explained that Ichiro was dressed in the traditional fashion, but that in amateur sumo we had the option to wear shorts. I then demonstrated the most common winning technique, yorikiri. Ichiro demonstrated oshidasi and uwatenage on me and I finished up with kimidashi. Ichiro demonstrated the chiri jozu ceremony and we closed out with a sample match. 

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SPECIAL THANKS

Special thanks to Southern California Sumo Kyokai member Robert Perez and his friend Alex at "Tex Auto Upholstery" in Signal Hill for making new bags for our dohyo canvas and tawara. When we got the dohyo from San Francisco, a number of the tawara bags were coming apart at the seams. Later, we ripped one of the big bags putting the canvas back in. Robert took them to Alex for repair, but the fabric was too old. Alex got a buy on some convertiable top material. Robert paid for all the material and Alex donated the labor, including embroidring the club name on the large bag. Thanks again guys! Tex Auto, is located at 1881 Obispo Ave., Signal Hill, CA 90804. Phone (562) 986-0633. They do headliners, all auto tops, carpet & seat upholstery. 

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WHAT'S HOLDING BACK U.S. SUMO?
Part 1 -- Editorial by Tonkatsu

I first did sumo in the local people's competition at Japan Expo in 1993. The main event was wrestlers from Hawaii and the East Coast, plus a college team from Japan. The meet director was John Jacques. I did not do sumo again untill after the first North American Championship in 1997. In that year we again had sumo at Japan Expo, with wrestlers from Hawaii, the East Coast and Canada. John Jacques was again the meet director. We have not had sumo at Japan Expo since. Why not? Because, in the words of Mr. Norio Masuda, "Sumo costs too much". We will not have sumo there again until we can come up with enough local wrestlers.

We have now had three North American Champion-ships at Hollywood Park Casino. In each case, the casino paid for air fare lodging and meals for most of the competitors. According to the casino's management, they have lost money each year. This year, they have told the North American Sumo Federation that they are not willing to continue on the same terms, and would only be willing to do "A scaled down version". So, we are looking for another venue.

The United States Sumo Federation was incorporated in New Jersey, in May of 1996. The certificate of incorporation states that one of it's purposes is to: Art. 2. H. "TO ARRANGE, CONTROL, MANAGE CONTEST, CHAMPIONSHIPS, TOURNAMENTS, ECT..."
To date, there has been no national or regional championships, only the North Americans. When I inquired as to when we were going to have a national championship, I was told that we needed sponsors. In other words unless we have someone who will pay everyone's way, no national championship.

I want to make one thing clear, I don't fault anyone for asking for money, and more power to them if they can get it. But, the fact is, we are having a harder and harder time getting anyone to shell out so much money. 

In what other amateur sport do they only have a championship when someoneis willing to pay all the freight? There are people in this country who are willing to pay their own way to major events. The Japanese stopped paying everyone's way to the Worlds. It's time to start having championships that are open to anyone who can get themselves there! We are, after all, amateurs aren't we? Or perhaps, as I've been told, some people in American sumo think they are really pros. If they do, let them go to Japan. Of course, pro sumotori on a provincial tour don't get treated nearly as well as what Hollywood Park had laid out the last three years. It was nice while it lasted, but we may have killed the goose that laid the golden egg! 

In any case, at the Southern California Sumo Kyokai we intend to practice what we preach. We are going to have regular local tournaments. And later this year we are going to plan, organize and present the first California State Sumo Championship to be held since before World War II. Anyone who can get here will be welcome to compete.

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CALENDAR

San Diego, Haru PBB (pre-basho bash) March 11th at 7:00PM. Call (619) 908-6406 and leave a message to get the location and directions or e-mail Alan Portillo at gaijin@san.rr.com
Haru Basho, Osaka Municipal Gymnasium
Banzuke: February 28, 2000
Shonichi: March 12, 2000 (Sunday) SUMO DIGEST
starts Mar. 13 (Monday) KRCA, channel 62, 11:30pm
Senshuraku: March 26, 2000 (Sunday)
Long Beach PAL tournament, April 1st at the Long Beach Police Athletic League, 1401 W. 9th St. Long Beach.
Natsu Basho, Kokugikan, Tokyo
Banzuke: April 24, 2000
Shonichi: May 7, 2000 (Sunday) SUMO DIGEST
starts May 8 (Monday) KRCA, channel 62, 11:30pm
Senshuraku: May 21, 2000 (Sunday)
Nagoya Basho, Aichi Prefectural Gym. Nagoya
Banzuke: June 26, 2000
Shonichi: July 9(Sunday) SUMO DIGEST
starts 7-10(Monday) KRCA, channel 62, 11:30pm
Senshuraku: July 23, 2000 (Sunday)
Aki Basho, Kokugikan, Tokyo
Banzuke: August 21, 2000
Shonichi: Sept. 3, 2000(Sunday) SUMO DIGEST
starts, 9-4 (Monday) KRCA, channel 62, 11:30pm
Senshuraku: Sept. 17, 2000 (Sunday) 
Kyushu Basho, Fukuoka Kokusai Center
Banzuke: Oct. 23, 2000
Shonichi: Nov.5, 2000(Sunday) SUMO DIGEST
starts Nov. 6 (Monday) KRCA, channel 62, 11:30pm
Senshuraku: Nov. 19, 2000 (Sunday)
Note: All times, dates & channels for SUMO DIGEST beyond the Hatsu Basho are assumptions, based on the present schedule.

SUMO SHIMPO is published six times a year by The Southern California Sumo Kyokai. If you think it's worth reading, we need you to join the Southern California Sumo Kyokai for $5 a year per individual, or $10 per family. Comments and contributions are not only welcome, they are encouraged.

Editor: Tonkatsu (Harry Dudrow)
Associate Editor: Yukikaze (Jim Lowerre)
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