Sumo Fan Magazine runs a tribute to the retiring Yokozuna (read: king of the world) Asashoryu.

The first story is about him at his peak in 2007.   In the second story, Chris Gould relates the reasons why he believes Asashoryu’s demise was inevitable.  The last article is just a collection of quotes from people “on the street” about what they think about the retirement of Asashoryu.

For some back story, in Sumo once you reach the highest rank, Yokozuna, you keep it for life.  It’s as much an honorary title as anything else.  Asashoryu has become one of only 2 Yokozuna’s to be effectively stripped of that rank in over 250 years.  The reason:  Bad behavior.

Now for us Americans, we wouldn’t think much of the guys antics.  He’s arrogant, hot tempered, prone to fights, disrespecting his opponents, and generally doesn’t give a shit what anyone else thinks about it.  Sound familiar?   He sounds American!

Nearly ALL of our professional athletes would fit most of that description.   If Asashoryu was a Basketball player here, he’d fit right in.  But, in Japan, his behavior is seen as an affront to the cultural harmony of the whole of Japan.  Sumo is their national sport.  The Yokozuna are moral standard bearers of the country, of every Japanese individual.  They represent them all.  At least that’s the belief.

As such, he had to go.

The trouble for the Sumo Association of Japan, however, is that Asashoryu is like the Michael Jordan of the Sumo.  The dude is amazing.  He brings in massive amounts of money.  And letting him go means letting go of a lot of money.  Not an easy choice.

I’m personally not comfortable with stripping him of his title.  But, I’m American, and I find his antics funny.  I have no interest in hanging out with the guy, but at least he’s fun to watch.

The good news for the Sumo Association is that they have a number of guys coming up the pipeline.  One of whom is my favorite Sumo player, Kotooshu (the Bulgarian).  Kotooshu is everything that Asashoryu is not.  Most importantly, he is considered Humble (at least he comes across that way in public).  And he is quite popular.  He’s beaten Asashoryu, and I think he could make Yokozuna if he works hard enough.  We’ll see.

But, not all Japanese are for his retirement:

‘I really respect Asashoryu for living his life the way he wants to live it. I wish I could live like him.’

And another,

‘I thought he was an exciting yokozuna and it is very sad news that he has decided to retire.  Sumo attendances will probably decrease because of this.’

Finally, here’s a recent match between Baruto (from Estonia) and Asashoryu.

And a discussion about it by Jasonryu

From the Dalai Lama

When you entertain evil thoughts like hostility and hatred, there is no joy in your heart and you are a nuisance to others.  On the other hand, if you develop kindness, patience and understanding, then the whole atmosphere changes.

Here’s a video compilation of the 5 lifters of mine that competed at the Iron Works Olympic Weightlifting meet in Creswell, Oregon.  2 of them were brand spankin’ new.  So that was fun.  Every one of them either matched or broke personal records.  And Leslie won her weight class again!
If you find yourself wanting to join in on the fun, click here to find out how.

BTW, in case you’re wondering, the music in the background is mine.  Roy thinks I have a career writing music for the “adult” film industry.  Maybe I should stick to coaching …

The great Bulgarian Sumo wrestler, Kotooshu, finally ties the knot.

Even the strongest men finally surrender. It happened so with Bulgarian sumo champion Kaloyan Mahlyanov – Kotooshu. On Valentine’s Day Bulgarian sumo wrestler and his better half Asako Ando said ‘I do’ in Tokyo.

Check out his website here. 
And Here’s a video of him in competition

Here’s a video of a 62k and a 77k lifters doing squats before the Arnold.

Apolo Ono is no slouch on the ice.  No surprise then that he is no slouch in the gym.  Check out this video of one of his workouts that not only includes some great squatting, but some intense one-leg plyo jumping. Very cool.

Check out this great interview with Shane Hamman that Mark Rippetoe did (click here).  They cover a bunch of info in about 1 hour including Shane’s early powerlifting career where he dunked 1008 pounds in the squat.  His Olympic career. The state of American Weightlifting.  And what we can do about it.

What I enjoyed the most was their discussion on the importance of strength training for Olympic weightlifters (as opposed to a fanatic focus on technique).  Shane mentioned that the guys who beat him at the 2004 Olympics were much stronger than him (that’s saying something!) and as a consequence could pull things out that he couldn’t. He also mentions that the same was true for the lighter weight classes.  That is, our guys weren’t as strong as their competition.

Why this is relevant is that much of the American “style” is directed at technique work at all cost and speed development.  Both of which are clearly important. But, heavy deadlifts and heavy squats done throughout the year is rare.

One of the things I did differently this year with my athletes that I will certainly do again was a modified version of the Smolov Squat cycle.  They all nearly killed me for making them do it!  But, holy heavens, it did wonders for their overall strength levels which is paying dividends now 5 months later.

I think this type of training (a clear focus on strength development along with power and technique) is particularly useful for older and masters lifters who are always going to be behind the curve in their technique.  The more strength you have, the more you can pull out a not-so-perfect clean or snatch.

Of course, technique is majorly important.  Don’t take this the wrong way.  But, if you let strength levels hover in the background, and don’t pull heavy shit off the ground, then you’re selling yourself short.

Barry at Weightlifting Epiphanies has a fantastic post on why he decided to be a weightlifter.  It’s really digs into some topics that strike a cord with me.  Here’s a passage:

Weightlifting appeals to my underlying personality. My parents raised me as a lifelong learner and in the twenty months since I gave up rugby to train with the barbell instead, my inner perspective has, and still, continues to evolve. Weightlifting forces me to look at myself as I really am and how I want to be. Do I want the sublime athleticism of Kolecki? The ruthless efficiency of Kakishvilli? The brute power and showmanship of Dimas? No. I want to be myself. The beauty of this journey is that I am continuously discovering what exactly I want to be, and more importantly, what I am. This differentiation is vital for anyone who seeks to progress, adapt and evolve on any front.

This is the Polish weightlifter Szymon Kołecki

From the great Japanese Haiku poet Basho:

“I hear the unblown flute, In the deep summer shadows, Of the Temple of Suma.”

I think I’m going to have a heart attack watching this.  People will do anything to not do work.