February 2007

Shoryu Makes the Big Score!

Kinboshi:  Receivers and Givers

   
Shoryu Makes the Big Score!
Becomes Fifth 20-Yusho Winner on 14-1 Effort
by “Yukikaze" for SUMO SHIMPO

One year ago, the 2006 grand sumo season dawned with a mix of anticipation and apprehension as yokozuna-East ASASHORYU (Mongolia) rode into the Kokugikan on the front edge of a historic rensho that saw him become the first modern-era rikishi to pull off a true “Grand Slam”.  He fell short in the Hatsu Basho, but still won four Cups for the year including the last three in succession.

So it came to pass in January 2007, that SHORYU stepped onto the dohyo to once again show everyone exactly who loomed large and was in charge.  There was a bump in the early stages as he gave up the 17th kinboshi of his career to maegashira #1-West DEJIMA by oshitaoshi on day 3.  But the fleeting hope that loss may have given the field gradually diminished as the “Mongolian Express” pulled away through the rest of the tournament to clinch on day 14 and finish with a 14-1 record.  This made him the fifth member of one of sumo’s most exclusive fraternities:  those who have won the Tenno-Hai 20 times or more.  And in SHORYU’s case, there is little reason to doubt he will hold the Cup many times more.

While most of the five-member ozeki contingent were able to slam out worthy efforts, none of them showed themselves ready or capable of dealing with the powerful yokozuna at this time.  #2-West CHIYOTAIKAI had some possibilities in the early going with SHORYU’s loss, but gradually fell out of the yusho race and finished 10-5.  #3-West HAKUHO (Mongolia) was kadoban coming into the January action, but showed no sign of injury once in the fray:  the Natsu 2006 winner did not lose two torikumi in succession during the fortnight-plus-one, and re-secured his Kokugikan parking slot with a strong 10-5.  #1-East KOTOOSHU (Bulgaria) started slow at 1‑2, but then won 7 of his next 8 for kachi and wound up with a 9-6.  #2-East KAIO mixed wins and losses through day 13 and appeared to be in danger of going kadoban yet again; but Tomozuna’s strongman won his last two torikumi to scrape by at 8‑7.  With the same number of top-division basho under his mawashi as Konishiki (81) KAIO has 679 career wins to 649 for the huge Hawaiian.  #1-West TOCHIAZUMA won at this time last year to break SHORYU’s yusho streak.  But this time out, things went 180 degrees out-of-phase.  Tamanoi’s top deshi and heir apparent started 4-3, but then melted down with 7 losses in his final 8 torikumi to finish at 5-10 and get saddled with a new demotion threat.

The lower sanyaku will see some serious shuffling for the Haru festivities in March.  Sekiwake-East KOTOMITSUKI will be the only member of the class to hold his position.  The former college champ won 5 of his first 6 torikumi and posted his 8th win on day 13, but then got unfocused and lost his final two for an 8-7.  The power surge put on last year by sekiwake-West MIYABIYAMA sadly proved to be but a flash-in-the-pan.  The former ozeki showed that the committee had been right to deny him re-promotion:  he lost 6 of his first 7 matches and slid to a 5-10 that will send him back down to the hiramaku ranks.  Komusubi-East KISENOSATO fought hard and managed to balance his books at 7-7.  His loss on senshuraku placed him at 7-8, where he has an outside chance to keep the heavier paycheck.  Komusubi-West ROHO (Russia) will definitely have to adjust his household budget downward:  he collapsed as spectacularly as the Iron Curtain to a so-sorry 3-12.

#9-West TOYONOSHIMA won top maegashira honors on the strength of a 12-3 outing which also put the Kanto-Sho and Gino-Sho in his hands.  Other notable performances from the hiramaku ranks:

#1-East KOTOSHOGIKU (9-6)

#4-East AMA (Mongolia) (10-5)

#6-East ASASEKIRYU (Mongolia) (10-5)

#11-East TAMAKASUGA (9-6)

#13-East KASUGANISHIKI (9-6)

#14-East TAMANOSHIMA (10-5)

#15-West USHIOMARU (9-6)

DEJIMA won career kinboshi #6, but did not qualify for the Shukun-Sho.

In Juryo:  #2-West TOCHIOZAN, #3-West SHIMOTORI and #14-East TOYOHIBIKI all finished regulation at 10-5.  HIBIKI won the subsequent playoff for the yusho.  Other second-division efforts worth mention in these despatches:

#4-West WAKANOSATO (9-6)

#6-West KAIHO (9-6)

#12-East KOBO (9-6)

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Kinboshi:  Receivers and Givers

(updated after Hatsu 2007)

Y = number of basho ranked at yokozuna

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The 600-Win Club

(updated after Hatsu 2007)

The ASASHORYU Watch

(updated after Hatsu 2007)

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“Legendary” Yokozuna (10+ Yusho)

(updated after Hatsu 2007)

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JUNIOR DIVISION YUSHO WINNERS

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Condolences
by “Tonkatsu” for SUMO SHIMPO

California Sumo Association president Andrew Freund's father passed away recently after a long illness.

Prior to May of 2000, Andrew was a frequent visitor to the "Dohyo of Dreams."  On one such occasion, he brought his father, one on his sisters and I think one of his brothers.  We had some very spirited competition that day.  I remember losing a hard fought match to Andrew's dad who remarked afterwards that I was "a load."

We at SUMO SHIMPO and the SCSK offer our condolences to Andrew and his family.

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Real Life:  Sumo on MTV
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

It started with Kurt Rightmyer – and with Steve Jimenez, his young giant of a neighbor (16 years, 400+ pounds at the time).  From there it went to an MTV segment producer with a 24/7 entertainment cycle to fill.  Steve and Kurt came out to the “Dohyo of Dreams” with an MTV film crew.  The big guy worked out with Kurt and myself in a rather aggressive keiko session, while Harry gave Steve pointers on how to sharpen his game.  At the same time, the producer was working with long-time sumo fan and new middleweight competitor Bradley Sutton.  Finally they went to Japan and profiled MINAMINOSHIMA, a young Tongan sumotori at Musashigawa Beya who was battling to move up from Sandanme into Makushita at his next basho.

If I have problems with any of this, they are as follows.  I watched the credits at the end and saw absolutely no mention of the “Dohyo of Dreams” or the Southern California Sumo Kyokai (as Steve’s member club).  But there was a “thank you” to Andrew Freund and the CSA (which is Bradley’s club of record).  I would point out that no money or other consideration changed hands for the use of the “DoD”:  a screen credit would have been more than enough thanks.

“Tonkatsu” adds the following:

I thought that MTV's True Life: I'm A Sumo Wrestler, was one of the better pieces that's been done about sumo on American TV.  They played it straight and didn't try to mock or put down our sport.  Obviously, with only an hour they had to leave a lot of footage on the cutting room floor.  It would have been nice to have seen Steve Jimenez's win over Odd Magnus Severinsen in the open division at the US Sumo Open, or Bradley's win over Steve in the open division at the California Sumo Championships,

Like Jim, I don't appreciate the fact that neither the DoD, the SCSK or any of our members who gave a lot of help to make this project happen didn't receive any mention in the credits.  Kind of tacky, I think.

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US Sumo Open Moves to Sports Arena
by “Tonkatsu” for SUMO SHIMPO

After two years at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the 2007 edition of the US Sumo Open is moving to the LA Sports Arena, part of the Memorial Colosseum complex at Exposition Park.

The Sports Arena, which over the years has been eclipsed by newer and larger arenas, is perhaps best known as the site of the 1960 Democratic National Convention that nominated JFK.  This writer attended several indoor track meets there in the early sixties.  The last time we went there was in 1973, when we attended several sessions of the last six-day bike race ever held in the United States.  In recent years, the University of Southern California basketball team has been the venue’s only major tenant:  that ended last year when a new facility, the Galen Center, opened on the USC campus.

Sumo fans who attend this year’s Open should be able to look forward to better views and less trouble parking since they won't have to compete with people attending other events, as has happened at the Convention Center.

The 2007 US Sumo Open is scheduled for Saturday, April 7, 2007.  For more information, check the California Sumo Association web site at www.usasumo.com.

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AND THE WINNERS ARE… The recipients of the 2006  SUMO SHIMPO Awards pose for a group photo at the conclusion of the 10th Goltz Sumo Tournament.  Front row (L to R):  Judy Morrow (Junior Sumotori) and Michelle Pike (Female Sumotori).  Back row (L to R):  Trent Sabo on behalf of Wes Jones (Rookie Sumotori of the Year), Dan Kalbfleisch (Outstanding Sumotori of 2006) and Steven Simpson (Most Improved Sumotori).  (Photo:  “Yukikaze”)

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Current Holders of USSF Dan Rank

* eligible for promotion in May 2007

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  14. Richard Hopp 15. Gary Goltz (honorary)

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A Mere Shadow by “Tonkatsu” for SUMO SHIMPO Those of you who get to see the NHK broadcast of Grand Sumo may have noticed a rather thin-faced shimpan in his thirties, sitting very stiff and upright at ringside. Does the face look familiar to you?  It may not at first glance, but if you look closer you will recognize moto-yokozuna  Takanohana (65), now Takanohana Oyakata.  The face shots from his prime and the current face book are shown at right. We don't know what he weighs these days, but such a change in one’s face has to go hand in hand with a substantial weight loss.  Of course, it’s not uncommon for people who do sports where heft is an asset to lose a lot of weight when they retire.  Football linemen, shot putters and the like come to mind as well as sumotori.  The one notable exception seems to be the big Hawaiians. Matsuzaki-san informs us that Takanohana Oyakata doesen't like to show his body these days, even going so far as wearing a yukata during keiko sessions.

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BLAST FROM THE PAST… “Yukikaze” (left) and “Kaminishiki” prepare to have a demonstration match at the very first Goltz Sumo Tournament in January 1998.  The referee is local amateur sumotori James Cole.  Note the tight quarters at the old Baseline Recreation Center in Claremont, CA.  (Photo:  “Tonkatsu”)

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Nanbu Sumo by “Tonkatsu” for SUMO SHIMPO In common with baseball, basketball and football, sumo as we know it today is the result of an evolutionary process.  During that process, there were regional variations that eventually fell by the wayside.  One such variation was Nanbu sumo, which was practiced in what is today Iwate (formerly Nanbu) prefecture in northern Honshu.  Nanbu sumo died out about a hundred years ago and was replaced by modern sumo. Last year, a small group of dedicated sumo people in Iwate prefecture set out to revive it.  Their effort drew the attention of both local TV and NHK, which is where Matsuzaki-san first saw it in a short report.  We thought it was interesting enough to have him write to the Iwate Sumo Federation to get more details.  The response was a wealth of interesting material, including a longer DVD. Nanbu sumo differs from modern sumo in several ways.  First of all, the dohyo is square instead of circular.  It is four meters square, marked off with very large tawara that are 48 to 54 cm in diameter.   There is an opening at each of the cardinal points.  Competitors approach the dohyo from the SE and NW corners and do a kneeling bow.  They then come to the East and West entrances and do two shikos with each leg, before entering the dohyo.  After entering the dohyo they stand side by side facing East and sankyo.  Then, with their feet apart, they squat down and put the palms of their hands on the top of their feet.  They then stand facing each other with hands extended:  West with his palms up, East with his palms down.  After they touch palms for a few seconds, the referee gives the command “Kamaete.”  The wrestlers take a step back with their right foot and raise their right hand.  When the referee gives the command “Onsumo hajimeiwari,” the match begins. Second, there is no tachiai and the only way to win is by making your opponent touch anything but the soles of his feet to the ground:  no yorikiri, no oshidashi, no okuridashi.  The result was some very good throwing techniques, with the biggest competitor being thrown several times.  In interviews afterwards, one of the participants compared it to Mongolian wrestling.  If a match went too long without a throw, the referee stopped it and they started over from the beginning, until someone won. Like people who do various kinds of historical re-enactments here, they put a great deal of time and effort into both the dohyo and the costumes of the officials. We think that Nanbu Sumo could be an interesting variation on modern sumo.  It would give wrestlers a chance to work on their throwing skills - something many of our pushers could use some work on.

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 Goltz Sumo X Illustrates Amateur Sumo’s Growth Over Past Ten Years
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

In January of 1998, amateur sumo in southern California was just coming out of a “Rip Van Winkle” slumber that had started all the way back in the early 1950’s.  The first Goltz Sumo event was primarily programmed for the kids and younger judoka in the Goltz Judo Club (GJC), of which there were 17 that year.  This writer’s part in the event was limited to demonstration work with Dr. Greg “Kaminishiki” Wheeler, the first man to hold the Southern California heavyweight sumo title in 45 years.  The venue was Claremont’s Baseline Recreation Centre, an old cinder-block fire station.  The dohyo was a circle of tape laid out upon the judo mats in what had been the fire engine bay (see picture elsewhere on this page).  To maximize the viewing experience for the families and other spectators, the layout was across the bay’s narrow axis:  this left precious little room between the dohyo boundary and the bay’s hard walls.

The following year Sensei Gary announced that Goltz Sumo II  would have competition for adults who were not members of the GJC, or even judo students.  By this time the Southern California Sumo Kyokai had taken possession of a portable dohyo setup, which was laid out upon the BRC’s mats.  Doug Ballard, a powerlifter and gym owner from Indiana, came out West that year and plowed ruthlessly through the field.

For all the BRC’s faults, it held one good memory for this writer.  It was there in 2000 (GS III) that he defeated Mike Peru, Andrew Freund and “Tonkatsu” for his first (and only) openweight gold medal.  But the City of Claremont was building a modern facility for community athletics, meetings, classes and whatnot.  (I personally love whatnots – Ed.)  It was with a great deal of delight that the Goltz Judo Club (along with many other groups and activities) moved to the Alexander Hughes Community Center.  Not only did the Goltz Tournament continue:  it has become the kickoff event for the Southern California amateur sumo season.  (The Hughes Center has also come to host the California Open Sumo Championships in cool, air-conditioned comfort during the mid-summer.)

First, last and foremost, the Goltz Tournament has been an event for the judo students, to give them a break from worrying about proper technique and just letting them knock someone else down or push others out of a ring.  Thirty-nine competitors stepped forward for a chance at Goltz gold and glory, ranging in age from 4-year old Sawyer Cochran to 60-something Jerry Tambe.  In size, they ran the gamut from Sawyer (39 lbs.) to Steve Jimenez (400+ lbs).  As in years past, the juvenile competitors were sorted into separate divisions based on Sensei Gary’s “line ‘em up and look ‘em over” philosophy.  The older competitors were aligned by weight, gender and age.

When the 1998 tournament was held, Mr. Ernie Hunt was the only experienced sumo referee in the western United States.  For the 2007 edition, Mr. Hunt was joined by Harry Dudrow and Troy Collins as qualified officials.  They shared the referee and line judge duties skillfully and flawlessly.  Sensei Gary, Ashton Farrah and Kala Crosby ran the scoring table until the Men’s open, at which time Jim Lowerre took over.  Sensei John Moe of Discover Judo brought his digital camcorder and recorded the action.

Once the ring was set up and everyone had checked in, the day’s activities started with USSF trustee Harry Dudrow presenting Sensei Gary Goltz with a certificate naming him an honorary life member of the USSF in recognition of his years of support for amateur sumo.  Harry also presented Gary with a card signed by all the sumotori present thanking him for his support.

The action started with the kids, who put on some of the best matches of the day.  In one of these matches, Sensei Gary interrupted matters by coming onto the dohyo.  He gave one competitor a cursory search, pulled a (fake) gun out of her mawashi, dropped it on the ring surface, and proceeded to upbraid her for sneaking a weapon into the match.  He then searched the other contestant and found a (fake) knife on him.  He made some sniffy comments about cheaters, then took both training props off the dohyo with him as the match was allowed to proceed.

Some of the senior wrestlers showed a little rust, allowing newcomers such as Christie Smirl and Robert Ashworth (both of Discover Judo) to break onto the podium and take the silver medals in their divisions.  Goltz Sumo X had several family teams.  They included:  Glenn, Kala, Rachel and Hannah Crosby; Mike and Steven Simpson; Robert, Zachary and Summer  Ashworth; brothers Raymond and Johnny Rocky Escalante; and Jerry Tambe and his nephew Jeremy Beck, who took silver in the men’s lightweight division.

The competition drew a distinguished guest:  Steve Shuji Nakada, managing director of the Japan Conference Center in Riverside, attended in traditional dress.  Together with his wife Maggie he took many photos, was photographed in turn, and had an enjoyable time watching the action.

When the competition was over and the medals had been handed out, it was time for the presentation of the SUMO SHIMPO Awards for 2006.  Michelle Pike’s strong efforts throughout the US and in Japan earned her a second consecutive citation as Outstanding Female Sumotori.  Judy Morrow won the Outstanding Junior Award while last year’s Junior winner, Steven Simpson, was named the Most Improved.  Rookie of the Year went to Wes Jones.  And finally:  last year’s ROY, Dan Kalbfleisch, was heralded as California’s Amateur Sumotori of the Year on the strength of winning 15 medals (9 gold) in 2006.

As a showpiece of strength and power, the Goltz Tournament has gone a long way towards illustrating why “Nan-Ka” – Southern California – has become the crossroads of the American amateur sumo community.

Full tournament results are located elsewhere on this page.

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California Sumo Calendar for 2007

CLASSES/TRAINING SESSIONS

Fees may be charged for training session attendance.  Contact the listed STAGING ORGANIZATION for the latest information.

COMPETITIONS

(T) = Tentative

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