April 2004

Shoryu Zensho Again In Four-Way Haru Race

Junior Division Yusho Winners

   
Shoryu Zensho Again in Four-way Haru Race
30-0 for 2004:  Ties Taka Mark
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

Those sumo fans who wanted an exciting contest for the 2004 Haru Basho certainly can’t say they didn’t get one.  They got a real battle for the Emperor’s Cup between the strongest men in the sport, a possible forecast of things to come in the near future – and a chunk of sumo history in the bargain.

The race for the Tenno-Hai developed into a tie between yokozuna-East ASASHORYU, ozeki #1-East CHIYOTAIKAI and ozeki #1-West KAIO.  To make things even more interesting:  SHORYU’s Mongolian stablemate, maegashira #12-West ASASEKIRYU must have caught a portion of his sempei’s power and speed, because he was running right alongside the top-rankers stride for stride.  The narrowing process began on day 12 when KIRYU pulled KAIO to the clay.  On day 13 TAIKAI bulled KIRYU over the tawara while SHORYU downed KAIO by kotenage.  Day 14:  KIRYU sent maegashira #1-East MIYABIYAMA rolling, KAIO pushed out TAIKAI, and SHORYU pushed out ozeki #2-West MUSOYAMA to finally break free of the pack.  On senshuraku, KIRYU was thrown by sekiwake-East WAKANOSATO, KAIO gave MUSO the yorikiri treatment, and SHORYU did down TAIKAI by hikiotoshi.  Not only has the mightiest Mongolian taken his second consecutive championship of 2004 and the sixth of his career, but he has put together a rensho of 30 consecutive victories.  The last man to accomplish that feat was the legendary Takanohana in the last two basho of 1994.  CHIYOTAIKAI, KAIO and ASASEKIRYU shared jun-yusho honors with 13-2 records.

After a shonichi loss to maegashira #1-West KYOKUTENHO, MUSOYAMA righted his ship by winning his next six torikumi.  His day 11 oshidashi triumph over maegashira #6-East HOKUTORIKI was his eighth of the basho, which meant another four-month extension (at minimum) on the lease for his reserved parking under the Kokugikan.  Musashigawa’s heyagashira finished at 9-6.  It went from bad to worse for ozeki #2-East TOCHIAZUMA:  the Kyushu 2003 winner not only lost his first two bouts, but had to withdraw on day 3 because of a fracture sustained in his shitatenage loss to komusubi-West SHIMOTORI.  Now he is under kadoban for the Natsu 2004 festivities.

The fantastic scores run up by the high-rankers had to come at someone else’s expense – which meant that the lower sanyaku rikishi got pretty well thrashed.  WAKANOSATO’s senshuraku win over the streaking ASASEKIRYU gave him the only kachi-koshi record (8-7) in this sector of the banzuke.  The scores for the other men in the quartet:

Sekiwake-West KOTOMITSUKI (7-8)

Komusubi-East KAKIZOE (6-9)

SHIMOTORI (6-9)

ASASEKIRYU’s performance was easily the best by a maegashira this tournament:  he was awarded both the Shukun-Sho (Outstanding Performance Prize) and the Gino-Sho (Technique Prize).  #13-East KOTONOWAKA took the Kanto-Sho (Fighting Spirit Prize) on the strength of an 11-4 effort.  Other hiramaku efforts earning a ‘mention in despatches’:

KYOKUTENHO (10-5)

HOKUTORIKI (9-6)

#11-West TAKAKAZE (9-6)

#14-East HARUNOYAMA (9-6)

#16-West KAIHO (9-6)

For the second consecutive tournament, there were no kinboshi awarded.  (Go figure!)

In the Juryo, #2-West HAYATEUMI and Mongolia’s #8-West HAKUHO made it a two-way race going into the final day of the festivities:  both men finished senshuraku at 12-3.  HAKUHO prevailed in the playoff for the yusho.  Other honorable-mention second division efforts:

#3-East KOBO (9-6)

#5-East TAKANOWAKA (10-5)

#6-West KASUGAO (10-5)

#9-East TAKANOTSURU (9-6)

#12-East AMA (10-5)

#12-West BUSHUYAMA (9-6)

Osaka was good ground for the gaijin this time out.  Aside from the performances already mentioned, Bulgaria’s KOTOOSHU won the Makushita Division title and will hold sekitori rank in May in Tokyo.  And Tonga’s MINAMINOSHIMA won the Sandanme Division:  he will be ranked in Makushita on the next banzuke.

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

JUNIOR DIVISION YUSHO WINNERS

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

“Dohyo of Dreams”No Longer Alone
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

Since 1997, the “Dohyo of Dreams” located in Garden Grove, CA has been the only permanent outdoor sumo training facility in North America.  But now, that statement is no longer true.

In early March, the Lone Star Sumo Association began construction of an outdoor dohyo in Round Rock, Texas.  They brought in a large mound of baseball infield material, formed it into a rope-bounded square and tamped it down with a power compactor.  They then dug out a trench and set a heavy rope into the surface as the tawara.  Short lengths of PVC pipe were set in place as the shikkiri-sen.  As of this writing, no teppo pole has been installed.

As of this writing, construction of a second dohyo in Southern California is in the planning stage.  For further information about the Round Rock Dohyo (including photos), go to www.lonestarsumo.org

DON’T MESS WITH TEXAS, OR ELSE… Bart Harris stands with his son on the newly-completed sumo dohyo in Round Rock, Texas.  The Round Rock Dohyo is the first permament outdoor sumo training facility constructed in continental North America since the completion of the “Dohyo of Dreams” in 1997.  Plans are already underway for dohyos in at least two more locations in the Lone Star State, as well as another in southern California.  (Photo courtesy of Tom and Karen Zabel for Lone Star Sumo)

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

Haru Bits and Pieces

Takanohana Oyakata (former yokozuna Takanohana) was observed at the dohyo edge dressed in formal wear and serving as one of the shimpan.  No hanamichi or ticket-booth duty for him, apparently…

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

The 600-Win Club (updated after Haru 2004)

(Info from the NSK and Stefan Gelow web sites)

* Non-Japanese

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

SoCal Spring Tournaments: Contrasts and Connections
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

One took place on a Saturday afternoon in March, the other on a Tuesday evening in April.  One was on the only permanent facility of its kind in California while the other was in a ballroom in one of the best hotels in California.  One was fought on salt-impregnated soil surrounded by grass; the other featured a vinyl mat atop foam crashpads.

But when it came down to actual feet on the dohyo surface, both the SHUNBUN 2004 Spring Tournament and the 2004 US SUMO OPEN featured exciting sumo fought by many of the best competitors in the region – and, as it turned out, the world.

SHUNBUN 2004 on March 27 drew a strong, hungry field to the “Dohyo of Dreams” in Garden Grove.  These men had been itching for action since the conclusion of the Goltz Tournament in January.  Part of the good showing was because this year’s California Sumo Series hinges on fewer events, which makes each competition more important.  The field consisted of the following sumotori:

Lightweights (<85kg/187 lbs):  Trent Sabo, Trevor Van Eede, Jovann Rushing

Middleweights (<115kg/253 lbs):  Jeff Riddle, Kurt Rightmyer, Greg Negri, Glenn Crosby, Douglas Cochran

Heavyweights (>115kg/253 lbs):  Richard Hopp, Jim Lowerre, Justin Crite, Devon Kobashigawa

Sabo was heavily favored to dominate the lightweights in this competition.  However, the smaller but more muscular Rushing gave Sabo all he could handle and a bit extra in the bargain.  When the dust and salt cleared the first time, all three competitors had identical 1-1 positions to force another go-round.  When that was over Sabo was in the unfamiliar position of wearing silver instead of gold:  that prize went to Rushing.  Van Eede fought hard and well:  against a weaker field he would have done better than bronze.

The middleweight division was the strongest one at the “Dohyo of Dreams” that day despite reigning California division champ Franklin ‘Buddy’ Buddemeyer being on the sidelines due to a practice injury.  Negri and Crosby put up hard fights in every bout, but were finally overpowered by the bigger, heavier members of the group.  When all the bouts in the round robin were finished Riddle had the gold firmly in hand, while Cochran, Crosby and Rightmyer were tied for second place.  Cochran survived a hard playoff battle with Rightmyer to take the silver:  the former gubernatorial candidate copped the bronze.

Crite placed second in middles at the inaugural California Open in 2000:  his twin brother Jon won the heavies in that same competition.  However, even his youthful strength and power availed him not against the force of nature named Hopp, who easily crushed every vestige of opposition to take the gold.  Despite having one arm rendered useless by disability Kobashigawa fought extremely hard with his remaining limbs, body and head.  He made the podium when his all-out, no-prisoners attack forced Lowerre into a footing mistake at the edge.

Hopp did not enter the opens:  he wanted to be ready for the upcoming US Sumo Open.  Kobashigawa, Van Eede, Crosby, Lowerre, Sabo, Riddle, Rushing, Crite and Rightmyer drew numbers from the ‘karma bottle’ for slots in the bracket.  As competitors were knocked out of the main bracket they dropped into the consolation bracket for a chance at the bronze medal:  Crite defeated Rightmyer in the repechage finals to grab that prize.  Rushing and Riddle were the main bracket finalists.  The final match was long by the standards of the sport, which played to Rushing’s superior conditioning.  In the end, he felled Riddle for his second gold medal of the day.

After the SHUNBUN medals were handed out, the awards for the 2003 California Sumo Series were made.  Medals were given to the first through third place finishers:  every participant who had points received a certificate.

The US SUMO OPEN took place on Tuesday, April 6, at the New Otani Hotel in LA’s historic “Little Tokyo” district.  The event had been scheduled for the weeknight to make it possible for the organizers to bring in former yokozuna Musashimaru as a special guest.  Last year, the same organizers had managed to bring former yokozuna Akebono to their summer event in Manhattan Beach.  In the late stages of that event Akebono donned his mawashi and took the dohyo for a couple of matches.  However, this retired yokozuna stayed on the sidelines and did not don a mawashi.  Another former professional sumotori, Robert Suetsugu (moto-Makushita Shoryuzan) had been flown in from his Seattle-area sushi restaurant to serve as chief referee.  Despite it being a weeknight, the event played to a capacity crowd that soon had people standing around the periphery.

Since this event was sanctioned by the United States Sumo Federation (which became a necessity in order for the organizers to bring in competitors from anyplace outside the USA), the field included some of the top amateur rikishi from Europe, especially in the heavyweights.  The USSF ‘seal of approval’ also meant that results of both weight-class and open competition would be counted toward the California Sumo Series.  The line-ups:

Lightweights (<85kg/187 lbs):  Brian Condon, Joe Davis, Joshua Davis, Chris Sabo, Baatar Tumurbaatar (Bulgaria), Trevor Van Eede, Kevin Yonemoto

Middleweights (<115kg/253 lbs):  Douglas Cochran, Troy Collins, Kena Heffernan, Jeff Riddle, Kurt Rightmyer

Heavyweights (>115kg/253 lbs):  Levan Altunashvili (Georgia), Marcus Barber, Larry Brann, Jondo Dabrundashvili (Georgia), Levan Ebanoidze (Georgia), Richard Hopp, Peter Stoyanov (Bulgaria), Tyler Tuione

Women:  May Chung (Hong Kong), Jennipher Heimback, Amanda Soule

The lightweight division fought out as a 7-man round robin.  Notably absent were 2002 US Sumo Open lightweight champ Trevor Roberts and two-time North American gold medalist Trent Sabo.  Joe Davis had been a formidable package as a middleweight:  as a lightweight, he was unstoppable as he rolled out six victories without a loss to grab the #1 seed in the finals.  Tumarbaatar (5-1), Yonemoto (4-2) and Condon (3-3) filled out the bracket.

It was clear at the start of the middleweight action that Heffernan and Collins were the class of the division, and the other three men, strong as they were, would have their hands full competing for the two remaining playoff berths.  The key matchup in the 5-man round robin, between Collins and Heffernan, went to the powerful Hawaiian.  Heffernan took the top slot with LAPD’s best sumotori in second at 3-1.  Riddle (2-2) and Cochran (1-3) would get chances for an upset.  Current California state champion Franklin Buddemeyer was still out due to a tricky knee:  former champ Jack Keener was a total no-show.

The eight heavyweights were divided into two 4-man pools, with the top two in each pool going to the finals.  Dabrundashvili dominated pool #1 with world-class power to go 3-0, while UCLA employee Tuione pulled out a 2-1 for a bracket position.  Pool #2 went to Stoyanov, who had won the heavies at the 2002 US Sumo Open.  Ebanoidze, the 1999 World gold medalist, grabbed the last slot.

The women’s competition had three competitors, total:  Chung (108 lbs.) in the lights, Heimback (192) and Soule (375) in the heavies.  Local heavyweight Mahshid Tarazi was present, but not competing.  There was nothing that could be done except to put these three ladies of sumo into an Open competition.  Form prevailed as expected:

Gold:  Amanda Soule (USA)

Silver:  Jennipher Heimback (USA)

Bronze:  May Chung (Hong Kong)

The lightweight finals went as follows:  Tumarbaatar d. Yonemoto, Joe Davis d. Condon, Yonemoto d. Condon, and Joe Davis d. Tumarbaatar.  Final results:

Gold:  Joe Davis (USA)

Silver:  Baatar Tumarbaatar (Bulgaria)

Bronze:  Kevin Yonemoto (USA)

The middleweight finals went this way:  Collins d. Riddle, Heffernan d. Cochran, Cochran d. Riddle, Heffernan d. Collins.  Final results:

Gold:  Kena Heffernan (USA)

Silver:  Troy Collins (USA)

Bronze:  Douglas Cochran (USA)

The heavies followed this script:  Dabrundashvili d. Ebanoidze, Tuione d. Stoyanov, Stoyanov d. Ebanoidze, Dabrundashvili d. Tuione.  Final results:

Gold:  Jondo Dabrundashvili (Georgia)

Silver:  Tyler Tuione (USA)

Bronze:  Peter Stoyanov (Bulgaria)

The openweight competition was a simple single-elimination format:  win and you’re in; lose one and done.  This boiled the field down very quickly to four finalists:  Collins, Heffernan, Hopp, and Stoyanov.  The open finals played out in this manner:  Collins d. Hopp, Stoyanov d. Heffernan, Heffernan d. Hopp, Stoyanov d. Collins.  Final results:

Gold:  Peter Stoyanov (Bulgaria)

Silver:  Troy Collins (USA)

Bronze:  Kena Heffernan (USA)

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

AND DON’T KISS OFF IDAHO, EITHER:  Amanda Soule (left) and Jennipher Heimback display the spoils of their efforts in the women’s competition at the 2004 US SUMO OPEN in Los Angeles.  Special guest, moto-yokozuna Musashimaru is in the background.   (Photo:  “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

Asashoryu Takes Seoul Jungyo


by "Tonkatsu" for SUMO SHIMPO

In February the Nihon Sumo Kyokai took a trip across the Sea of Japan for a jungyo in Korea.  The event consisted of a two day tournament in Seoul and a demonstration in Pusan.  Forty sekitori contested the two day tournament.  The format consisted of a single elimination tournament each day with the winners facing off for the championship.

The first days action saw ASASHORYU beating KYOKUTENHO by oshidashi in an upper bracket quarterfinal, while TAKAMISAKARI forced out TOSANOUMI by yorikiri.  In the lower bracket, KAIO took DEJIMA by shitatenage and TOCHIAZUMA beat HOKUTORIKI by yorikiri.  ASASHORYU won the first semifinal over TAKAMISAKARI by yorikiri and TOCHIAZUMA did the same to KAIO.  ASASHORYU finished up the days action by lifting out TOCHIAZUMA by tsuridashi.

Day two saw ASASHORYU again a quarterfinal winner, this time over HOKUTORIKI by yorikiri.  KYOKUSHUZAN beat KAIO by uwatenage.  ASASEKIRYU and KYOKUTENHO beat KOTOMITSUKI and KASUGAO respectively, both by yorikiri.  In the semifinals, ASASHORYU polished off KYOKUSHUZAN by shitatenage and ASASEKIRYU did the yorikiri number on KYOKUTENHO.  In the final, ASASEKIRYU upset ASASHORYU by yorikiri, who then turned the tables on him by yorikiri for the Grand Championship.

NHK broadcast the first day in Seoul, plus interesting shots of the rikishi out on the streets sampling Korean food and watching young Koreans practicing ssirum.

To this writer, there appeared (not surprisingly) to be a marked difference in the level of intensity of the matches.

There will be a jungyo tour in mainland China in June, with events in Beijing and Shanghai.

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

“Play-by-Play”:  Baseball, yes – sumo, NO!
Commentary by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

Sumo is a contest of focus.  First there is the focus of one competitor upon another, in an extremely intense challenge of physical and mental strength.  Then there is the focus of those outside the tawara, who watch the action inside.

For the past two years, the organizers of the US SUMO OPEN have put on some very exciting sumo.  However, they have also chosen to put in some very disturbing distraction, with the same sort of running commentary you would be more likely to hear at a WWE exhibition.  It wasn’t necessary to announce that Rikishi One had a grip on Rikishi Two’s mawashi.  I could see that, and so could everyone else in the house!  I found it to be a bother that detracted from what was going on.  (To be fair, I also acknowledge that the organizers of the US SUMO OPEN have the right to do this if they wish:  this is still a free country.)

In the vast majority of amateur sumo tournaments I have experienced from the local level all the way to the international, as a competitor, official and fan - the public address person or scorekeeper simply announces the competitors.  Once the rikishi arrive at the dohyo, bow to each other and enter the ring the PA stays out of the way.  The spotlight belongs to the competitors.

In poker…’when the showdown comes, the cards speak for themselves’.  From the instant the referee calls “Hakkeyoi!” to the time he announces “Shobu atta!” the action on the dohyo should be allowed to speak for itself.  It speaks volumes far above the attempts of anyone outside the tawara to ‘gussy it up’.

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

A Word to Our Sumo Guests
by Lorinda Kasten-Lowerre

Jim and I are pleased to have people over to do sumo in our backyard, and have their friends and families come watch on weekends or at special tournaments.  We have only one bathroom, which everyone is free to use.  Please close the door when you are using it, and leave it open when you are through.  If a competitor is injured, and does not have first aid items, please feel free to use anything that can help.

If, however, you decide not to do sumo, or watch it, please bring something to do that does not need to be plugged in.  You do not have permission to eat, unless we offer food to you.  You do not have permission to watch television, play the radio, read our books, use the telephone, or the computers – unless you have asked Jim or I and received permission.  This is the rule of etiquette for any guest in any home, except you should ask your host or hostess for permission to use the toilet, also.

If you have misbehaved, the next time you are at that place, have a replacement or money for what you have used.  Tell your host or hostess that you are sorry, and give them the replacement item or the money.  Promise that you will behave correctly in the future.  Even if your apology is accepted, they may ask you to leave and never come back.

The majority of sumo wrestlers and fans are ladies and gentlemen, so I am sorry I have had to mention this.

(NOTE:  Ms. Kasten-Lowerre is the legal owner of the 12291 Meade property:  the “Dohyo of Dreams’ exists and operates with her consent.)

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

Vehicle Donation Nets $710.00 for USSF
by “Tonkatsu” for SUMO SHIMPO

When my 1993 Toyota pickup quit on me ninety miles short of four hundred thousand miles last December I decided 
it was time for a new truck.  The question was, what to do with the old one?  It is a hassle to sell an old vehicle, 
especially when it isn't running.  I decided to donate it to charity.

At least here in Southern California, there are dozens of charities advertising for car donations.  We had heard that in 
many cases most of the money goes to middle men who sell the vehicle, with only a fraction going to the charity.  
Several of the charities that advertise for donations let you pick your own charity.  Once such charity is called "Cars 4 
Causes."  We chose them because they give 50% of the selling price of your vehicle less the cost towing to your 
designated charity.  Some of say 100% of the net, whatever that is. 

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

California Sumo Competition Calendar for 2003-2004

Compiled by SUMO SHIMPO Staff

(T) = Tentative

Events marked with an asterisk (*) count toward the 2004 California Sumo Series.

All information on this calendar is subject to change:  contact the SCSK or other staging organization for latest news.

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]