Current Issue -- February 2004

Asashoryu Starts Year With Perfect Effort

Junior Division Yusho Winners

   
Asashoryu Starts Year with Perfect Effort
First Zensho Yusho Since 1996
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

“Hatsu” means “early” - but it can also be used to define “first”.

The banzuke for the 2004 Hatsu Basho contained several firsts.  For the first time since Kyushu 1994, there was only one yokozuna listed.  For the first time since the 1960’s, there were no sumotori from the United States anywhere on it.  For the first time in the history of professional sumo, a rikishi from a European country was “writ large” on the top line (see related article).  The most interesting first, however, was the addition of two hiramaku for a total of 42 slots in the Makunouchi Division.  This represents the first change in the number of sekitori since the 1960 Natsu Basho.

Yokozuna-East ASASHORYU used the start of the new sumo year to serve a strong message on the rest of the sumo world:  with the mammoth Musashimaru now retired (and on hanamichi duty) he was now the dominant force in pro sumo and planned to remain as such for a long, long time.  He had it pretty well his own way from the very start of the festivities, was never really threatened and was ‘very large and completely in charge’ all the way to a 15-0 - his first sekitori zensho yusho (the first 15-0 since Takanohana’s in the 1996 Aki Basho) and his fifth Makunouchi championship.  It seemed to this writer that every time he picked up his kensho package he stood up with a look in his eyes that seemed to say, ‘yeah, I took this – what are you going to do about it, huh?’  One very large factor in SHORYU’s success was his uncanny quickness off the tachi-ai:  he was on his opponent with the initiative in hand before the other man ever knew what hit him.  His yusho-clinching day 14 win over ozeki #1-West CHIYOTAIKAI was his 200th victory in the elite division, but it was not without cost:  a cut on his right eyelid made him look like he had three eyes!.

Of the four current ozeki two had good outings, one had only a fair outing and one had his effort cut short by injury.  It was figured that the purists would be wholly behind Kyushu 2003 winner, #1-East TOCHIAZUMA:  another yusho would most likely result in yokozuna promotion for Tamanoi Oyakata’s son.  However, TOCHI lost his shonichi match to komusubi-West WAKANOSATO.  He won his next 7, but then lost 5 of his last 7 to fall out of the race for the Tenno-Hai, finish at 9-6 and watch his promotion hopes fade for the nonce.  CHIYOTAIKAI and #2-East KAIO managed to keep pace with the speeding Mongolian in the early stages of the tournament.  But TAIKAI lost to sekiwake-East TOSANOUMI on day 5, while KAIO was bested on consecutive days by maegashira #2-West KYOKUSHUZAN and SATO.  Kokonoe’s top man and the Tomozuna heyagashira both finished 10-5.  #2-West MUSOYAMA, now ensconced as Musashigawa Beya’s senior deshi, was 5-2 going into his day 8 match with sekiwake-West TAMANOSHIMA.  MUSO landed badly – and then had his left knee crushed between the falling TAMANOSHIMA and the unyielding tawara.  That was the last he was seen this tournament:  his 5-4-6 final records means he will be in the all-too-familiar position of being kadoban for the Haru Basho.

Of the four joi-jin in the lower sanyaku, three of them really had the shinai laid to them hard.  WAKANOSATO managed a decent showing, and even served as a ‘spoiler’ against TOCHI and KAIO.  His 9-6 will probably push him all the way up into the sekiwake-East position that was held this tournament by TOSANOUMI.  The roll of dishonor and demotion to the maegashira ranks reads as follows:  TOSANOUMI went 4-11, TAMANOSHIMA rolled out a 5-10, and komusubi-East TOCHINONADA could only manage a 6-9.

Aside from SHORYU, the only other man to get the measure of maegashira #4-West KOTOMITSUKI was #6-East DEJIMA.  Sadogatake’s heyagashira easily cleaned up the rest of the field to go 13-2 for the jun-yusho, top hiramaku honors, the Kanto-Sho (Fighting Spirit Prize) and a likely jump to sekiwake in Osaka.  Other noteworthy maegashira finishes were turned in by:

#5-East KAKIZOE (11-4)

#7-East SHIMOTORI (11-4)

#7-West MIYABIYAMA (11-4)

#6-East DEJIMA (10-5)

#14-West BUYUZAN (10-5)

#16-East ASANOWAKA (10-5)

#8-East AMINISHIKI (9-6)

#11-West TOCHISAKAE (9-6)

KAKIZOE was awarded the Gino-Sho (Technique Prize).  The Shukun-Sho (Outstanding Performance Prize) was not awarded this basho.  No kinboshi were served up - for obvious reasons.

The Juryo Division also expanded by two slots:  it now contains 28 rikishi.  Unlike the last time, when KOKKAI ran out a 14-1 outing on his way up, there was no runaway leader in the second division under the Kokugikan tsuriyane.  When the fog finally lifted, former Makunouchi veteran #6-West WAKANOYAMA had the title with an 11-4 record.  Other noteworthy efforts in the second division were:

#3-West CHIYOTENZAN (11-4)

#9-West ROHO (Russia) (11-4)

#3-East HARUNOYAMA (10-5)

#4-West FUTENO (10-5)

#4-East OIKARI (9-6)

#11-East NAKAO (9-6)

#12-East HAKUHO (9-6)

#14-West JUZAN (9-6)

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

JUNIOR DIVISION YUSHO WINNERS

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

The 600-Win Club (updated after Hatsu 2004)
(Info from the NSK and Stefan Gelow web sites)

* Non-Japanese

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

Europeans Pass Muster
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

Fresh off his 14-1 Juryo championship in Fukuoka, KOKKAI was ranked at maegashira #10-West for the 2004 Hatsu Basho.  This made the native of the Republic of Georgia the first man from a European country to be ranked in sumo’s elite division.  He started strong with four wins in the first five days; but a minor leg injury might have been part of why he lost three in a row on days 6 through 8.  He then won four in a row to go 8-4; but he may have experienced a bit of post-kachi distraction – which caused him to lose the last three torikumi to finish 8-7. 

It took the Georgian (civilian name:  Levan Tsaguria) exactly two years from his sumo debut (Natsu 2001) as a member of Oitekaze Beya to reach the Juryo (Natsu 2003).  In that space he won the yusho in the Jonidan, Sandanme, and Makushita divisions.

At the same time, back in Juryo, ROHO was making his sekitori debut at Juryo #9-West.  He went at it hard from the outset, winning his first four before hitting a three-loss skid.  (Two of his losses were to the sanyaku-experienced WAKANOYAMA and CHIYOTENZAN.)  He then powered through seven of his last eight matches to finish in a tie for the second division’s championship.

To Bare It Or Not To Bare It, That Is The Question
Editorial By "Tonkatsu" for SUMO SHIMPO

As most of you know, the contestants in a sumo match traditionally fight naked except for a loincloth called a mawashi.  In Japan they have no problem with this.  In fact, it is common in Japan for men and boys to dress only in loincloths on other occasions, particularly during festivals.  Since not all cultures are as comfortable with the degree of exposure as they are in Japan, when the International Sumo Federation was founded competitors were given the option of wearing shorts.  How many entries would there be from Muslim countries otherwise?

Over the years the number of athletes who have chosen to fight naked has varied.  For instance, at the first North American Sumo Championships in 1997 in addition to Manny Yarbrough and two of the Canadians, all but one of the Hawaiians fought naked.  The next year all but one of the Hawaiians wore shorts and no Canadian has since the first.

I personally went bare only once, on the second day of the 1993 Japan Expo.  I haven't since out of consideration for my wife and the fact that my sixty-three year old buns don't look that hot.  If I ever go to Japan, I will again.

Up until last year, everyone wore shorts at local events.  Since then several have chosen to fight naked.  At the first five Goltz Sumo Tournaments everyone wore shorts.  Last year the kids from Palmdale, who ranged in age from five to fifteen, all went bare and nobody complained.  This year, for the first time, two grown men decided to go bare at Goltz.  The result was a complaint from the father of a ten year old girl who competed.  He had some pretty uncomplimentary things to say about the men who went naked and was fairly certain he wasn't the only one who felt that way.  His view was that in the future, shorts should be required at Goltz Sumo tournaments.

I have several thoughts about this.  First of all, we are constantly fighting the public stereotype of sumo being a sport for "Naked fat men in diapers."  I tend to feel that the father’s complaint was valid.  There are times and places to be traditional, in Japan or at the World Championships or other major tournaments in Europe for instance.  Not at a city park in front of a lot of little boys and girls.  Hopefully, in the future, members will use a little common sense in deciding when to bare it.  Otherwise, we might lose one of our best venues.

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

California Sumo Series (Final Standings)


by “Tonkatsu” for SUMO SHIMPO

Over the last several years we have been operating under the theory that while it is great to have some 
big tournaments each year, the growth of the sport requires a steady supply of small ones to keep people 
interested.  One of the things we have done is to have a number of "Fun Tournaments."  These have been 
small events, with no entry fees and no awards.

When this writer was a bicycle racer forty years ago, there was an annual series of races called the "BAR" 
(Best All Round).  Riders earned points by competing in selected races.  Some people specialized in pursuing 
"BAR" points.  The "BAR" champions and the National Champions were rarely the same people.

 

It was with this idea in mind that we started the "California Sumo Series" last year.  The idea was to encourage 
participation and USSF membership by restricting it to USSF members and USSF-sanctioned events held in 
California.  We ended up using a points system we found in USA Wrestling.  The points are as follows:  
Participate in event 5 points, 1st place 16 points, 2nd place 12 points, 3rd place 10 points, 4th place 9 points, 
5th place 7 points, 6th place 6 points, 7th place 4 points, 8th place 3 points.

There was a certain amount of complaining during the year from people who didn't understand the concept, 
but in the end the results were fair.  Last year’s results are posted below.  (Certificates will be forthcoming – “Y”)

This year, only selected USSF-sanctioned events will count towards the 2004 Series.  These events are marked on the calendar with asterisks (*).  The Southern California Sumo Kyokai isn't doing any fun tournaments this year.  If someone else does, they will not count for points.

CATEGORY/NAME

POINTS

CATEGORY/NAME

POINTS

CATEGORY/NAME

POINTS

Men's Lightweight

Men's Heavyweight

Men's Open

Trent Sabo

105

Richard Hopp

154

Richard Hopp

133

Brad Sykes

45

Jim Lowerre

110

Trent Sabo

102

Hiroshi Matsusaki

34

James Hernandez

84

Jeff Riddle

81

Art Morrow

32

Harry Dudrow

74

Kurt Rightmyer

75

Marcus Barber

17

Franklin Buddemeyer

74

Men's Middleweight

Harry Dudrow

70

Kurt Rightmyer

136.5

Jim Lowerre

65

Jeff Riddle

131.5

Doug Cochran

17

Franklin Buddemeyer

108.5

John Hidalgo

14

Greg Negri

56

Art Morrow

12

Harry Dudrow

12

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

AND THE WINNERS ARE… The 2003 SUMO SHIMPO Awards were presented at the recently-completed Goltz Tournament in Claremont.  Middleweight Kurt “Tachikaze” Rightmyer (on left) holds his infant daughter as he hears SUMO SHIMPO publisher Harry Dudrow read the citation for his award as Outstanding California Amateur Sumotori of 2003.  Kurt’s run at winning the California gubernatorial recall election drew intense media interest from around the world.  Middleweight Franklin “Karashisan” Buddemeyer was anointed the California Rookie Sumotori of the Year, while heavyweight Richard “Daikashi” Hopp won the award for Most Improved California Sumotori.  (Photo:  Nathan Goltz)

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

End of an Era
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

With the retirements of Musashimaru and Sentoryu after the 2003 Kyushu Basho - and the failure of Texan Kagamifuji to even get a sumo career launched - the era of the American presence in professional sumo is definitely over.

This writer does not think that Americans will ever re-enter the sumo world – not when football and other team sports with less-rigid demands and lifestyles are available to those who have the physical tools to put on the mawashi and enter the dohyo.

But this doesn’t mean the gaijin are quitting pro sumo.  Quite the contrary.  In March 1999, when ASASHORYU made his debut in the sumo world, he was one of 15 non-Japanese sumotori.  Now, as the sport’s sole grand champion, he stands at the top of a contingent from Mongolia that numbers 30 men.  And there are 23 rikishi from 9 other countries also on the banzuke.  (See the “Gaijin List” from the Moti Dichne sumo page (www.dichne.com) for further details.)

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

PODIUM FINISHERS at the 2004 GOLTZ TOURNAMENT
Saturday, January 17, 2004:  Hughes Recreation Center, Claremont, CA (photos by Nathan Goltz)

Little kids 1.  Reilly Iwakiri 2.  Ryan Wong 3.  Dylan Crest	Slightly bigger kids 1.  Ashley Sypherd 2.  Alisha Ryczek 3.  Rachel Crosby
Bigger kids 1.  Justin Domingo 2.  Katherine Carrasco 3.  Sara Crosby	Junior mixed 1.  Luis Guzman 2.  Ashley Wong 3.  Ashton Farah
Junior men 1.  Richard Watson 2.  Michael Mendoza 3.  Zac Atherton	Men's lightweight 1.  Trent Sabo 2.  Trevor van Eede 3.  Andrew Watson
Men's middleweight 1.  Franklin Buddemeyer 2.  Doug Cochran 3.  Jeff Riddle	Men's heavyweight 1.  Richard Hopp 2.  Jim Lowerre
Men's open 1.  Trent Sabo 2.  Richard Hopp 3.  Jeff Riddle

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

Correction

In our "Meat Bomb" article in the last issue we said the following:  "It would appear that the Banzuke for the 2004 Hatsu Basho will not contain any sumotori weighing over four hundred pounds.  The next heaviest rikishi to Maru was TOKI at a mere three hundred and seventy-eight pounds."

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

Utchari vs. Suplex


by "Tonkatsu" for SUMO SHIMPO

As most sumo fans know, "utchari" is a sumo technique used by a sumotori who has been driven to the edge of the ring.  
In her book "THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO SUMO" Dorothea N. Buckingham describes it this way.  "The defensive 
sumotori, who has been forced to the edge of the ring, bends as far backwards as he can without toppling his opponent 
on top of him.  Having quickly executed the lifting of his opponent, he pivots his body so that the opponent is in the 
direction of the pivot.  The momentum of this move brings both men to the ground, with the sumotori executing the utchari 
on top."

 

Illustrations in Japanese books on sumo show the sumotori executing the throw lifting his opponent onto his stomach and 
then twisting to one side or the other.

Suplex is a similar-looking throw found in freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling.  As most commonly seen, the wrestler 
executing the throw falls straight back, throwing his opponent over his head.  It is not uncommon to see people who 
come to sumo from wrestling using suplex.

Bits & Pieces

In the Aki Basho issue, we reported the demise of SUMO DIGEST, a long time staple on Asahi Television.  After an 
absence of one basho, SUMO DIGEST has returned on NHK as a shorter version of the main NHK broadcast.  
Unfortunately, it is still only available in this country on TV Japan.

In case you haven't heard:  Bob "The Beast" Sapp KO'd Akebono two minutes into the first round of their K 1 bout.  
Akebono reportedly wants a rematch, and Sapp is willing to give him one (for the right money, of course).

Konishiki recently remarried.  In common with many sumo brides, the new Mrs. Konishiki is quite petite.

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

PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE… In December, SCSK member Hiroshi Matsuzaki, who had held the rank of shodan from the Japan Sumo Federation for over thirty years, was promoted to the rank of nidan by the USSF in recognition of his service to California and United States Sumo.  USSF trustee Harry Dudrow made the formal presentation to Mr. Matsuzaki, with Mrs. Matsuzaki looking on.   (Photo:  “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO)

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

Familiar Face from SCSK Past Wins Japan’s Top Amateur Title


by "Tonkatsu" for SUMO SHIMPO

On one of the inside pages of the most recent issue of NHK Magazine is a small black and white photo of an amateur 
sumotori kneeling with a trophy.  The face looked familiar to me, but I wasn’t sure.  At first I thought it was Takahisa 
Osanai who won the Open division at the second North American Sumo Championships in 1998.  However, Mr. 
Matsuzaki said that the name of the wrestler in the photo was Koichi Kato.

I recognized the name as one of the six top Japanese amateurs who came to the Sawtelle Judo Dojo on May 20, 
1998 (and were captured for posterity in the photo below – “Y”).  I remembered chatting with Mr. Kato with the 
aid of an interpreter.  A tall, I think around 6'4" high school teacher from Shizuoka Prefecture, he was around 330 
pounds.  I remember asking him if he had ever played American football.  He hadn't, but like me, he had played 
rugby.  Not surprisingly for a man of his height and weight, he had played lock, or second row in the scrum - a 
position this writer has also played.

The trophy Mr. Kato was holding was for the 2003 All-Japan Sumo Championships - the ultimate prize in Japanese 
amateur sumo.  This was a considerable surprise, as the All-Japan Sumo Championships are most commonly won 
by college sumotori.  For instance, the rikishi who now wrestles as KOTOMITSUKI won it in 1997.  At age 31, 
Mr. Kato's win is not the norm.

We put the honorable Matsuzaki-san to work checking on Mr. Kato's record.  90 minutes later he called back 
with the following very impressive list of titles:

1987, All-Japan middle school champion


1990, All-Japan high school champion


1991, Eastern Japan University freshman champion


1993  All-Japan sports writers selection champion


1994, Eastern Japan university champion


1996, 97 and 98, All-Japan teaching staff champion


1996, Champion, national athletic meeting


1996, World heavyweight champion


1998 and 99, Champion, All-Japan members of society


2003, his first All-Japan championship

We are pleased to offer Mr. Koichi Kato a hearty omedeto  gozaimasu (congratulations)!

(EDITOR’S NOTE:  aside from Mr. Kato and the future MIYABIYAMA, the other members of the touring group were (from L to R in the photo below) Eiichi Tanaka, Tsuyoshi Iozaki, Mitsuhiko Narita, and Daisuke Tajima.)

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

THE HATSU 2004 GAIJIN LIST (from www.dichne.com)

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

California Sumo Competition Calendar for 2004

(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]