It is another basho already!? Just when I was going to write more posts after the holidays, I unfortunately had a family member pass away. I had to spend some time away from my hobbies and focus on the family (and work, of course). Nevertheless, the Hatsu Basho 2020 is well timed. It will improve... Continue Reading →
With Musashikuni retiring, Wakaichirō stands alone as the solitary lonely warrior representing all of North America. That is correct - Wakaichirō is the only North American currently competing in Japanese professional sumo. I swear that I'm not trying to add pressure to the young rikishi! In this post, I discuss what Wakaichirō needs to do... Continue Reading →
The Aki Basho 2019 is over, and what a basho it was! In the top division, the seiwake really stole the show with Mitakeumi and Takakeisho going to a playoff to decide the yusho. Mitakeumi won the showdown, earning his second career yusho. He also went 12-3 in this basho. When paired with his 9-6... Continue Reading →
The Aki Basho 2019 is already here! I could barely believe that the time has come around already when I saw people discussing it on Twitter. Where did August go? There are a lot of exciting storylines for this basho. All eyes will be on the two yokozuna, Kakuryu and Hakuho. Will Kakuryu be able... Continue Reading →
We are almost halfway through the Nastu Basho 2019! In the makuuchi division, the top competitors have certainly been Kakuryu and Tochinoshin, but the biggest story has probably been Enho. Can the mighty mini-rikishi continue his hot streak to complete his first basho in the top division? Or has it only been beginner's luck? In... Continue Reading →
Well, the primary story-line of the basho has concluded - Kisenosato has retired. Everyone seemed to have very strong opinions about his situation. Should he have retired sooner? Should he have not retired altogether? Did he deserve yokozuna status? Did he not? Is he overrated? Is he underrated? Personally, I was one of the few... Continue Reading →
Almost halfway done with the Kyushu Basho 2018! Of course, the biggest story has been Kisenosato. After starting 0-4, the yokozuna pulled out of the basho. Will he return in 2019? Most signs seem to point towards yes, but only time will tell. I think the more interesting story, however, is that seven days have... Continue Reading →
We are now seven days through the Aki Basho 2018! This means that we are almost halfway done and starting to see how things are shaking out. In the Makuuchi division, most of the top rikishi (sumo wrestlers) are putting up stellar records, including Hakuho (yokozuna, 7-0), Kakuryu (yokozuna, 7-0), Kisenosato (yokozuna, 6-1), Goeido (ozeki,... Continue Reading →
North American Sumo 