Here’s a Sumo Match between my main man Kotooshu (the Bulgarian) and the Mongolian Harumafuji.  Both men are Ozeki, but neither are doing all that well in this Basho. 

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

Sumo Fan Magazine sat down with Nakamura Okamisan for a great interview published here.   For those who don’t follow Sumo, the word “Okamisan” is basically the honorific term for a female manager of a Sumo stable.

Yep, they call the gym where Sumo athletes train a “stable”.  But, hey, they really are as big as a horse!

quote:

Sumo is the condensation of Japanese culture; the beauty Japan contains within, and the way of thinking inherent in this beauty are one of the fascinating things about Ozumo. Thus, I would like to ‘offer’ these things (as representative of Japan and the sport) in order to let fans in foreign countries understand them well.