This week, the students learned about sumo.
Sumo is a competitive contact sport where two wrestlers (rikishi) attempt to force one another out of a circular ring (dohyo) or to touch the ground with anything other than the soles of the feet. The sport originated in Japan and is still very popular there today, being the only country where the sport is practiced professionally. In contemporary history, there has been a significant minority of non-Japanese rikishi, with a few even achieving the top rank of yokozuna (grand champion).
The basic rules of sumo are simple: The wrestler who either first touches the floor with something else than his sole or leaves the ring before his opponent, loses. The fights themselves usually last only a few seconds and in rare cases up to one minute or more.
At the top of the sumo wrestlers' hierarchy stands the yokozuna (grand champion). Once a wrestler reached the rank of yokozuna, he cannot lose it anymore. However, he is expected to retire as soon as his results are starting to worsen.
Most elite wrestlers are highly trained athletes and between about 20 to 35 years old. Besides working out, the wrestlers are eating large amounts of food and go to bed right after eating in order to gain mass. The wrestlers are living in special sumo stables where the rules are very strict, especially for beginners.
The students watched a documentary "Sumo East and West.” This is a feature documentary about the cultural changes facing Japan as more and more foreigners enter the ancient Japanese sport of sumo wrestling. I highly recommend this film, if you are interred in sumo. For more information about the documentary, visit its website at http://sumoeastandwest.com/
At the top of the sumo wrestlers' hierarchy stands the yokozuna (grand champion). Once a wrestler reached the rank of yokozuna, he cannot lose it anymore. However, he is expected to retire as soon as his results are starting to worsen.
Most elite wrestlers are highly trained athletes and between about 20 to 35 years old. Besides working out, the wrestlers are eating large amounts of food and go to bed right after eating in order to gain mass. The wrestlers are living in special sumo stables where the rules are very strict, especially for beginners.
The students watched a documentary "Sumo East and West.” This is a feature documentary about the cultural changes facing Japan as more and more foreigners enter the ancient Japanese sport of sumo wrestling. I highly recommend this film, if you are interred in sumo. For more information about the documentary, visit its website at http://sumoeastandwest.com/
Okay, it’s SUMO TRIVIA time!
Question:
Question:
What is yokozuna? Who is yokozuna right now and where are they from?
Answer:
Answer:
Yokozuna is the highest rank in sumo. The name literally means "horizontal rope" and comes from the most visible symbol of their rank, the rope (tsuna) worn around the waist. The rope is similar to the shimenawa used to mark off sacred areas in Shinto, and like shimenawa serves to purify and mark off its content. The rope, which may weigh up to 20 kilograms, is not used during the matches themselves, but is worn during the yokozuna's dohyo-iri (ring entrance ceremony).
The two currently active yokozuna are:
Asashoryu, the 68th yokozuna, from Mongolia, promoted January 2003
Hakuho, the 69th yokozuna, also from Mongolia, promoted May 2007
Question:
The two currently active yokozuna are:
Asashoryu, the 68th yokozuna, from Mongolia, promoted January 2003
Hakuho, the 69th yokozuna, also from Mongolia, promoted May 2007
Question:
Who was the first American who entered the world of professional Japanese sumo and where was he from?
Answer:
Answer:
TAKAMI YAMA (Jesse Kuhaulua) from Maui.
Jesse Kuhaulua was born in Happy Valley, Maui, Hawaii in June 1944. In 1964, at the age of nineteen, Kuhaulua left Hawaii for Tokyo, and became the first American to enter the world of professional Japanese sumo.
In March of 1964, Kuhaulua made his debut under the name of Takamiyama and began what would be a twenty year career. In 1968, Takamiyama was promoted to the Makuuchi division representing the highest level of Japanese sumo. Before his career was over, Takamiyama achieved the rank of sekiwake, the third highest in sumo, and established records for most consecutive tournaments (97) and most consecutive bouts (1425).
The highlight of his career occurred in 1972, when he defeated Champion Ashaikuni to win the Emperor’s cup and become the first foreign-born sumotori to win a championship. Upon his victory, a Japanese ambassador read a congratulatory message from President Richard Nixon, marking the first time that English words were spoken to a Japanese sumo audience.
Takimiyama retired in June 1984 with a record of 689-774, took the elder name Azumazeki Oyakata, and opened his own sumo stable in Tokyo. Among his recruits were fellow Hawaiians Konishiki, and eventual Yokozuna, Akebono. During his career, Takamiyama stood 6’4” tall and weighed 452 pounds.
Question:
Jesse Kuhaulua was born in Happy Valley, Maui, Hawaii in June 1944. In 1964, at the age of nineteen, Kuhaulua left Hawaii for Tokyo, and became the first American to enter the world of professional Japanese sumo.
In March of 1964, Kuhaulua made his debut under the name of Takamiyama and began what would be a twenty year career. In 1968, Takamiyama was promoted to the Makuuchi division representing the highest level of Japanese sumo. Before his career was over, Takamiyama achieved the rank of sekiwake, the third highest in sumo, and established records for most consecutive tournaments (97) and most consecutive bouts (1425).
The highlight of his career occurred in 1972, when he defeated Champion Ashaikuni to win the Emperor’s cup and become the first foreign-born sumotori to win a championship. Upon his victory, a Japanese ambassador read a congratulatory message from President Richard Nixon, marking the first time that English words were spoken to a Japanese sumo audience.
Takimiyama retired in June 1984 with a record of 689-774, took the elder name Azumazeki Oyakata, and opened his own sumo stable in Tokyo. Among his recruits were fellow Hawaiians Konishiki, and eventual Yokozuna, Akebono. During his career, Takamiyama stood 6’4” tall and weighed 452 pounds.
Question:
Who was the first American who achieved the rank of ozeki (champion)?
Answer:
Answer:
KONISHIKI (Salevaa Atisanoe)
Salevaa Atisanoe was born in Nanakuli, Oahu, Hawaii in 1963. In 1981, at the age of 18, Atisanoe was spotted by fellow Hawaiian Jesse Kahaulua (Takamiyama) and was persuaded to move to Tokyo to begin a sumo career under the tutelage of the American champion.
In July of 1982 Atisanoe made his debut under the name of Konishiki and began what would be a tumultuous, but rewarding 15 year career. Konishiki charged through the junior divisions achieving the juryo rank in under one year and gaining a promotion to the elite makuuchi division in less than two years. Less than three years later, in 1987, Konishiki became the first American ever to achieve the rank of ozeki (champion).
Konishiki continued to compete for another decade, but despite winning three championships, was never able to achieve the rank of Yokozuna (Grand Champion).
Konishiki retired in 1997 with one of the best records in sumo history, 733-498. At his peak, Konishiki stood 6’ tall and weighed 626 pounds. His weight and girth earned him many nicknames, including “meat bomb,” and “dump truck.”
A naturalized Japanese citizen, Konishiki continues to live in Japan where he is a pursuing a singing career and is involved in several charities and humanitarian foundations.
In July of 1982 Atisanoe made his debut under the name of Konishiki and began what would be a tumultuous, but rewarding 15 year career. Konishiki charged through the junior divisions achieving the juryo rank in under one year and gaining a promotion to the elite makuuchi division in less than two years. Less than three years later, in 1987, Konishiki became the first American ever to achieve the rank of ozeki (champion).Konishiki continued to compete for another decade, but despite winning three championships, was never able to achieve the rank of Yokozuna (Grand Champion).
Konishiki retired in 1997 with one of the best records in sumo history, 733-498. At his peak, Konishiki stood 6’ tall and weighed 626 pounds. His weight and girth earned him many nicknames, including “meat bomb,” and “dump truck.”
A naturalized Japanese citizen, Konishiki continues to live in Japan where he is a pursuing a singing career and is involved in several charities and humanitarian foundations.
Question:
Who was the first non-Japanese who attained sumo’s highest rank of yokozuna (grand champion) and where was he from?
Answer:
Answer:
AKEBONO (Chad Rowan) from Oahu.
Chad Rowan was born in Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii in May 1969. In the late 1980’s, Rowan was discovered by a friend of Jesse Kuhaulua. He was initially thought to be too tall and lanky to make a good sumotori, but in 1988, at the age of eighteen, Kuhaulua brought Rowan to Tokyo to begin training.
Rowan made his sumo debut under the name Akebono in March 1988. Within two years, Akebono had reached the top makuuchi division. In May 1992, Akebono won his first tournament and was promoted to ozeki – equaling Konishiki as the highest ranked foreign sumotori in history. Akebono went on to win four of the six 1992 tournaments as well as the first tournament of the following year. As a result, In January 1993, after a mere 30 matches, Akebono attained sumo’s highest rank of Yokozuna and became the first foreigner and only the sixty-fourth sumotori in history to achieve the status of grand champion.
Akebono went on to win a total of 11 tournaments in his 13 year career, ranking 7th on the all-time list, and compiling a record of 566-198. Akebono retired from Sumo in 2001. At the time of his retirement, Akebono stood 6’8” tall and weighed 514 pounds.
Question:
Chad Rowan was born in Waimanalo, Oahu, Hawaii in May 1969. In the late 1980’s, Rowan was discovered by a friend of Jesse Kuhaulua. He was initially thought to be too tall and lanky to make a good sumotori, but in 1988, at the age of eighteen, Kuhaulua brought Rowan to Tokyo to begin training.Rowan made his sumo debut under the name Akebono in March 1988. Within two years, Akebono had reached the top makuuchi division. In May 1992, Akebono won his first tournament and was promoted to ozeki – equaling Konishiki as the highest ranked foreign sumotori in history. Akebono went on to win four of the six 1992 tournaments as well as the first tournament of the following year. As a result, In January 1993, after a mere 30 matches, Akebono attained sumo’s highest rank of Yokozuna and became the first foreigner and only the sixty-fourth sumotori in history to achieve the status of grand champion.
Akebono went on to win a total of 11 tournaments in his 13 year career, ranking 7th on the all-time list, and compiling a record of 566-198. Akebono retired from Sumo in 2001. At the time of his retirement, Akebono stood 6’8” tall and weighed 514 pounds.
Question:
Who was the second non-Japanese yokozuna?
Answer:
Answer:
MUSASHI MARU (Fiamalu “Fia” Penitani)
Fiamalu Penitani was born in Somoa in 1971 and moved to Hawaii in 1981 at the age of ten. In 1989, he was recruited and brought to Japan by former Olympic gold medal wrestler Date Jiichiro and began training with the Musashigawa stable.
Penitani made his sumo debut under the name Musashimaru in September 1989. In July 1991 Musashimaru was promoted to the professional level of Juryo. Musashimaru’s career advanced rapidly as he ascended to the top makuuchi division in November of the same year and by the following May had achieved the rank of sanyaku. Two years later, in 1994, Musashimaru became an ozeki. Although Musashimaru went on to set a record for competing in 52 consecutive bashos without a losing record, he was not able to achieve the back to back wins necessary to ascend to the rank of Yokozuna (grand champion) until July 1999. Upon finally accomplishing this feat, Musashimaru became only the second foreign-born Yokozuna and the sixty-seventh grand champion in the history of the sport.
Musashimaru has been the consummate champion, suffering only one season with a losing record since his entry into sumo in 1989. His career continues to thrive and he recently won the May basho for his 11th tournament victory, equaling the total previously set by Akebono. As of June of 2002, Musashimaru is in the midst of a major streak, having won three of the last four bashos. Musashimau is 6’3” tall and weighs 509 pounds.
Penitani made his sumo debut under the name Musashimaru in September 1989. In July 1991 Musashimaru was promoted to the professional level of Juryo. Musashimaru’s career advanced rapidly as he ascended to the top makuuchi division in November of the same year and by the following May had achieved the rank of sanyaku. Two years later, in 1994, Musashimaru became an ozeki. Although Musashimaru went on to set a record for competing in 52 consecutive bashos without a losing record, he was not able to achieve the back to back wins necessary to ascend to the rank of Yokozuna (grand champion) until July 1999. Upon finally accomplishing this feat, Musashimaru became only the second foreign-born Yokozuna and the sixty-seventh grand champion in the history of the sport.Musashimaru has been the consummate champion, suffering only one season with a losing record since his entry into sumo in 1989. His career continues to thrive and he recently won the May basho for his 11th tournament victory, equaling the total previously set by Akebono. As of June of 2002, Musashimaru is in the midst of a major streak, having won three of the last four bashos. Musashimau is 6’3” tall and weighs 509 pounds.
Congratulations! You are a sumo expert now!
