April 2006

Sweet Sixteen for Shoryu

The 600-Win Club

Current USSF

Golden Horde at SHUNBUN 2006

   
Sweet Sixteen for Shoryu
Hakuho Promoted to Ozeki; Kaio Keeps Parking Space
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

From the time he won his first Tenno-Hai at the 2002 Kyushu Basho, yokozuna-East ASASHORYU (Mongolia) had never lost two tournaments in a row.  After having his history-making rensho snapped by ozeki #1-East TOCHIAZUMA in January, the “Mongolian Express” came to Osaka’s Prefectural Taiikukan for the 2006 Haru Basho ready to start a new skein.  He opened things with ten consecutive wins.  This was just as well:  fellow Mongolian and sekiwake-East HAKUHO was right there keeping pace with him into day 11, when the two collided head-on.  “Sleeping Thunder” got the better of that bout to take the lead for the Cup, but fell to AZUMA the very next day to drop back into a tie.

Both Mongolians were 13-1 steaming headlong into senshuraku.  HAKUHO was up first.  His opponent was ozeki #2-West KAIO, whose Haru books were even at 7-7 and who needed the win to avoid demotion.  The “Human Juicer” came through, forcing the younger man over the tawara to keep his Kokugikan parking spot (and other ozeki perquisites) for another four months.  It was now in SHORYU’s power to ‘slam the gates’ with a win, but he would have to go through AZUMA to do it.  The Tamanoi Beya heir-apparent was not inclined to let that happen, and proceeded to force the Mongolian over the bales.  So SHORYU and HAKUHO ascended the dohyo once more to settle matters.  This time there was no doubt, as the sole yokozuna took firm possession of his 16th career yusho.

As the rikishi who’d broken SHORYU’s historic win streak under the Kokugikan roof, many were looking to TOCHIAZUMA to win in Osaka and earn yokozuna promotion for himself.  But losses to maegashira #3-East AMINISHIKI (day 2) and komusubi-west MIYABIYAMA (day 7) forced him into an early trailing role.  A loss to KAIO on day 11 effectively ended matters:  wins over both yusho finalists and a 12-3 mark turned out to be cold comfort for what might have been.  Ozeki #1-West KOTOOSHU (Bulgaria) and #2-East CHIYOTAIKAI both turned in ‘passing grade’ 9-6 efforts.

HAKUHO’s 13-2 Osaka showing capped a 35-10 record over the past three tournaments.  When the Shukun-Sho (Outstanding Performance Prize) and a share of the Gino-Sho (Technique Prize) were added in, the result was a slam-dunk promotion to ozeki for Natsu 2006.  Since none of the rikishi currently holding the rank are kadoban, there will be five ozeki listed on the next two banzuke (at a bare minimum).  Sekiwake-West KOTOMITSUKI was 6-1 going into day 7, but then won only two of his next eight to finish right on the 8-7 kachi line.  After a long stint in the hiramaku ranks, former ozeki MIYABIYAMA was making a reappearance in the sanyaku.  It looked as if it would be a brief stint after losing four of his first five torikumi; but he came back with strength to win 9 of his final 10 to finish at 10-5 and a likely sekiwake slot in May.  Komusubi-East ROHO (Russia) opened with four straight defeats and never got his “A” game into gear.  He received a thorough 4-11 thrashing and a ticket on the ‘down’ erebeta for the next time.

#5-East KYOKUTENHO (Mongolia), #11-East WAKANOSATO and #13-East KYOKUSHUZAN (Mongolia) all posted 11-4 marks to share top honors among the maegashira.  SHUZAN also earned his second Kanto-Sho (Fighting Spirit Prize).  Other noteworthy hiramaku efforts:

#6-East KAKIZOE (9-6)

#7-East KISENOSATO (10-5)

#8-East KOTOSHOGIKU (9-6)

#8-West ASASEKIRYU (Mongolia) (10-5)

#9-West TAKEKAZE (9-6)

#12-East HAKUROZAN (Russia) (9-6)

#15-East TAMAKASUGA (9-6)

#2-East AMA (Mongolia) shared the Gino-Sho with HAKUHO.  No kinboshi were surrendered.

In the Juryo, #11-East BARUTO (Estonia) became the first rikishi in recent memory to ‘run the table’ with a 15-0 mark.  (If any of the readers know when this was last accomplished, please let us know – Ed.)  This should put the “Big Blond” on the top row of the May banzuke.  Other mentionable second division performances:

#1-West TOSANOUMI (9-6)
#2-East KATAYAMA (9-6)
#3-West MOKONAMI (Mongolia) (9-6)
#5-East HOMASHO (12-3)
#6-West KYOKUNANKAI (10-5)
#8-West SATOYAMA (9-6)
#9-West SHIMOTORI (9-6)
#11-West KAKURYU (Mongolia) (9-6)
#13-East KOBO (9-6)
#14-West TAMARIKIDO (9-6)

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The 600-Win Club

(updated after Haru 2006)

* Non-Japanese

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Current Holders of USSF Dan Rank

Current USSF Life Members

1. Harry Dudrow  2. Yoshisada Yonezuka  3. Jim Lowerre  4. Andrew Freund  5. Troy Collins  6. Hiroshi Matsuzaki  7. Manny Yarbrough (honorary)  8. Trent Sabo  9. Packy Bannevans  10. Doug Cochran 
11. Tom Zabel  12. Dan Kalbfleisch  13. Kelly Bannevans

Golden Horde Rides onto DoD, Plunders Gold at SHUNBUN 2006
By “Tonkatsu” for SUMO SHIMPO

OK, so three Mongolian amateur sumotori and a coach probably don’t qualify as a “Horde” – but the way they swept down upon the “Dohyo of Dreams” and took every gold they contested at SHUNBUN 2006 certainly had a similar effect to the Mongol conquest of the past!  Their names were Munkhjargal Ulziibayar (“Mukii” for short), Erdenebileg Alagdaa (“Bilgay”) and Tusjargal Tsendoj (“Tugsu”).  A lightweight, a middleweight and a heavyweight, they would take the gold medal in every division they contested.  More importantly:  they brought an international flavor to our local tournament, and presented our local rikishi with new technical challenges.  They also helped to fulfill the “DoD” slogan, “Build a dohyo and they will come.”  (The DoD management extends its very special thanks to US middleweight champion Troy Collins, who arranged to get them down to Garden Grove – “Y”.)

Of course, before we could worry about the Mongol invasion coming to SHUNBUN 2006, we had to worry about the weather and the possibility of being rained out.  With rain falling most of the week and more predicted for Saturday, “Yukikaze” and I were seriously considering postponing as late as Friday afternoon.  However, on the basis of the latest predictions, we decided to go for it and tell everyone who asked to “come on down”.  Sure enough, even with rain falling thirty miles away, the skies were clear and sunny over the “DoD”.  SHUNBUN 2006 was on!  (Fortes fortuna juvat (Fortune favors the brave) – “Y”.)

With a total of 19 competitors ranging in size from 50-pound (approx.) Shannon Cochran to 400-pound (approx.) Steve Jimenez, it was the largest field ever to gather on the “DoD” for a sumo event.  In fact, it was so large that “DoD” co-owner Jim “Yukikaze” Lowerre found himself running the scoring table full-time and never did get to wrestle a Mongolian or anyone else!  However, he did manage to take a ton of pictures – and so did photographer Sam Tenney, who had heard about this event at last year’s “Sumo Weekend”.

The day’s action started not with Mongolians but with little girls, novice heavyweights and “Old Guys”.  Judy Morrow took two hard-fought matches from junior DoD yobidashi Shannon Cochran to win our smallest division.  Her dad Art went 1-2 against Brian Condon in the Masters’ lightweight division.  SCSK newcomer Jeremy Jorgensen went 2-0 against Steve Shiflett from Oceanside to win the Novice heavyweights – a task that would have been a lot more difficult if brothers Wes and Jason Jones (also from O-side) hadn’t arrived late.  Finally, the Masters’ open went to Brian, with Kurt Rightmyer and Art joining him on the podium.

The lightweight division saw Art and Brian fight each other for a fourth time.  When the five-man round robin was complete, “Mukii” was the clear winner with Trent Sabo in an unaccustomed second-place finish.  Trent’s OSK teammate Jovan Rushing emerged from a three-way tie to take the bronze.

With Troy on the sidelines due to an upcoming LAPD assignment, and current California middleweight champion Dan Kalbfleisch just a tad over the 253-pound weight limit, Doug Cochran and “Bilgay” were tied at the end of the five-man round robin.  “Bilgay” won the tie-breaker.  Brad Sutton came in third, one win ahead of Kurt and Mando Garza.

The six-man heavyweight division of “Tugsu”, Wes, Dan, Steve Jimenez, Steve Shiflett and Jason saw them finish in that order.

After all that, seven stalwarts eagerly lined up for slots in the open division bracket.  With “Tugsu” nursing a sore knee, it fell to “Bilgay” to carry the Mongolian colors..  His path to his second gold medal of the day went through Trent, Wes and Dan (who took the silver).  Wes came back through the repechage to best Steve Jimenez for the bronze medal.  (If all three of our very honored Far Eastern guests had entered this competition, I firmly believe they would have swept the podium – “Y”)

When it was all over, everyone agreed that SHUNBUN 2006 was the best tournament yet at the “Dohyo of Dreams”.  “Yukikaze” asked for and received a moment of silence in sincere thanks for the clear, cool weather we had enjoyed.  Then everyone headed home, to get rested and ready for the US Sumo Open.

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<< THE FAMILY THAT SUMOS TOGETHER…Shannon Cochran prepares to photograph daddy Doug during one of his middleweight bouts.  Both Cochrans earned silver medals in the day’s action.  (Photo:  Sam Tenney)

>>  O-SIDE WON’T HIDE …Trent Sabo (left) and Oceanside teammate Jovan Rushing personify raw power off the tachi-ai in lightweight competition. (Photo:  Sam Tenney)

<<  NEW GOLDEN HORDE…The division winners gather on the “DoD” for a group photo (l to r):  Brian Condon, “Bilgay”, Judy Morrow, “Tugsu” and “Mukii”. (Photo:  “Yukikaze”)

>>  CLASH OF THE STEVES…16-year old Steve Jimenez (left) faces off with rookie heavyweight Steve Shiflett in heavyweight competition as referee Harry “Tonkatsu” Dudrow watches. (Photo:  Sam Tenney)

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SHUNBUN 2006  (“Dohyo of Dreams”, Garden Grove, CA) - OFFICIAL RESULTS

LARGEST DoD FIELD EVER…The participants in this year’s SHUNBUN 2006 competition gather for a group picture on the “Dohyo of Dreams”.  (Photo:  “Yukikaze”)


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Americans Sweep Gold at 2006 NZ Sumo Open
by “Orinotora” for SUMO SHIMPO

April 14th, 2006 was indeed a "Good Friday" for the American sumo athletes who attended the 2006 New Zealand Sumo Open.  After flying into the capitol city of Wellington, the American team of Trent Sabo (lightweight) Doug Cochran (middleweight) and Carl Pappalardo (heavyweight) were escorted to a training session/luau style feast (called a hunny) being held by the president of the New Zealand Sumo Association, Martin Stirling.  The raw talent and strength of the young sumotori in New Zealand was only matched by the generosity and hospitality they showed us.

The tournament was held at the town hall in Lower Hutt and consisted of three individual events.  They were:  the New Zealand Junior Sumo tournament to determine who would represent New Zealand at the Junior Worlds this summer in Estonia; the New Zealand Sumo Open for the senior competitors from the United States, Australia, and New Zealand; and a “professional wrestling” event involving some local New Zealand talent.

After a highly-charged and exciting tournament amongst the junior-level competitors, it was time for senior-level competition.  The three weight class divisions all included a minimum of five competitors, while the open division consisted of seven.  Trent matched off with four very tough New Zealand competitors, but prevailed in every match enroute to his lightweight gold medal.  Doug faced a bit tougher road.  For his first match he drew Sio Sakaria, a rising star in New Zealand Sumo and a very tough opponent.  Doug was finally able to defeat Sio in a match which lasted approximately two minutes.  He then went on to best Australians John Trail and Rowan Klein and New Zealander Thomas Piper to earn the middleweight gold.

Carl also had formidable opposition.  After two hard-fought opening matches he faced off against junior heavyweight winner Mark and New Zealand’s current top senior heavyweight contender, Andrew.  In the end Carl won out for the heavyweight gold, but Mark and Andrew left lasting impressions on him, literally:  the bruises on his body were a sight to behold.

In openweights, Trent and Doug simply ran out of steam after their hard-fought weight division matches and were quickly ousted by the Australians, Rowan and John respectively.  Having earned a bye in the first round, Carl defeated Andrew in the second round and John in the finals for his second gold medal of the day.  Andrew defeated Rowan for the bronze.

<< NO BLUNDER DOWN UNDER…Doug Cochran manhandles Australian Rowan Klein on his way to the middleweight gold medal at the 2006 New Zealand Open.  (Photo:  Tabitha Woods)

>>  I THOUGHT YOU HAD THE RING…The American  delegation for the New Zealand Open (from left:  Carl Pappalardo, James Whiteaker, Trent Sabo, Doug Cochran) atop Mt. Ruapehu.  This volcanic area was used as a filming location in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. (Photo:  Doug Cochran)

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“Dohyo of Dreams” Becomes Film Location
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

When my soulmate Lorinda and I originally gave our support to the construction of the “Dohyo of Dreams” in 1997, we envisioned it as a focal point for amateur sumo in southern California:  a haven where the sport could grow and flourish.  And we have been very pleased (especially in light of the SHUNBUN 2006 success) with the results of our venue’s bold statement, “Build it and they will come”.

But then we were approached by a student film group from San Diego State University, asking if they could use the “DoD” as a location for a project they were developing.  At the same time, an MTV project revolving around young giant Steve Jimenez wanted some time, while working in parallel with Kurt Rightmyer’s “Sumo Size Me” endeavor.  Suddenly, things became very interesting (and busy) around Meade Station.

The SDSU project presented a special problem at the outset:  they wanted to shoot a nighttime ‘dream sequence’.  And because of some scheduling snafus, they were only able to finally arrive on site the night of Sunday, April 2nd.  You might ask, “So?”  Well, that was the night after the Daylight Savings Time ‘spring forward’, which meant that darkness would be an hour later than it would have been a week or so before.  Since it was a night shoot, they required lighting:  over six kilowatts worth.  We ran extension cords into the garage and the pantry, and kept the lighting inside the house to a minimum to avoid popping a circuit breaker at an inopportune moment.  No money changed hands:  our price for opening our home for this venture was two specific screen credits (“Filmed on Location at:” and “Special Thanks to:”) and a DVD copy of the finished film at the earliest possible moment.

Trent Sabo had accompanied the crew as a technical advisor, a role for which he was eminently qualified.  He blocked out a fight sequence between the “American” protagonist and a smaller (but very aggressive) Japanese sushi chef.  As the evening went on both actors became more immersed in the grappling aspect, and gradually stripped down to the “traditional” level of garb (this took some fortitude, because the evening grew cooler as time progressed).  At one point this writer and other non-production crew members were inserted into a shot where the backs of heads were needed for an ‘anonymous audience’ feel.  When all of the needed sumo shots were finally “in the can”, the protagonist donned Tokugawa-era samurai costume for another dream sequence.  This one consisted of circling around our backyard orange tree, sword at the ready, seemingly on the lookout for an unseen enemy.  By the time filming wrapped and the gear was packed, it was midnight.  This writer accepted their thanks, saw them off, locked things up and went in to get some sleep before work the following morning.

Not long afterwards, a video crew affiliated with MTV arrived one afternoon to tape a practice with Steve Jimenez.  We “Shop-Vacced” the accumulated rainwater off the dohyo cover, took the cover off, put down some sand and got busy.  “Tonkatsu” ran the practice as coach, giving instruction and motivation to our 16-year old wunderkind.  Originally several other guys were supposed to show up, to give Steve plenty of hitting opportunities.  But as it turned out, only Kurt and this writer were there.  So we took turns ‘in the barrel’ as sort of a tag team, slamming into Steve and being slammed in turn.  For his part Kurt was very aggressive:  he even managed to run Steve out on a couple of occasions.  I also worked him hard; but I remained mindful that the US Sumo Open was but a few days away and I did not want to hobble our bright young prospect.  So I did not go as hard as a probably could have, and did not win any of our practice bouts.  But it was a good workout for all three of us, and it gave the video crew a lot of footage to use.

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<<  THIS IS ONLY A DREAM – ISN’T IT?…With the cameras rolling and “Action” called, the two actors in the SDSU film production prepare to go through their Trent Sabo-blocked fight sequence.  (Photo:  “Yukikaze”)

>>  QUIT HIDING AND SHOW YOURSELF!…The “American” protagonist in the SDSU project seeks an unseen enemy as he circles Meade Station’s orange tree.  (Photo:  “Yukikaze”)