Sumo

Bluebozzy · 14 Jan 2026 at 08:54

Does anybody watch sumo? There's no thread for it and because the a new honbasho/tournament started last weekend I wanted to open one

For those interested, Japanese broadcaster @NHKWORLDJAPAN uploads all Makuuchi (top division) bouts each day to Youtube with English commentary. Each bout typically lasts less than 1 minute and it's very fast paced.

opethdisciple · 15 Jan 2026 at 23:56

I've watched some in the past.

Mainly just stuff on YouTube out of curiosity, but I did watch the footage of the wresting that was recently on at the Albert Hall.

Vandle · Friday at 00:21

Even less diverse than basketball, I'm too woke to watch stuff like that.

Bubo · Friday at 08:44

I used to watch it back in the 90's when Channel 4 showed it. The likes of Chiyonofuji, Takanohana and Konishiki AKA The Dump Truck. I was a bit of a Japanophile back then, even learnt a bit of the language.

GeorgeStorm · Friday at 09:27

Yeah been watching it for a couple of years now, tend to try to call my dad so we can watch it together, he used to watch it when it was on C4 and I got him back into it when realising he could watch it online via NHK etc.
He went to the RAH when they came over in 91, and then we both went when they came over last year in October

Bluebozzy · Friday at 13:37

GeorgeStorm said:
Yeah been watching it for a couple of years now, tend to try to call my dad so we can watch it together, he used to watch it when it was on C4 and I got him back into it when realising he could watch it online via NHK etc.
He went to the RAH when they came over in 91, and then we both went when they came over last year in October

I was very much priced out of going to the RAH, but we are loosely planning a trip to Japan and hopefully will get to watch some live there.

I'm not going to pretend I know loads about it, I just like watching combat sport that is somehow non-violent and isn't about injuring your opponent

Scuzi · Friday at 13:54

I went to the Nagoya basho last year. Absolutely fascinating. I'd be going regularly if it wasn't the other side of the world. Saw Aonishiki in the corridor on the way in.

dave28 · Friday at 13:59

Bluebozzy said:
I just like watching combat sport that is somehow non-violent

It is brutal in its own way though, headbutts and savage face / head slaps, throwing out of the ring. They get injured all the time

Grimley · Sunday at 14:10

Bubo said:
I used to watch it back in the 90's when Channel 4 showed it. The likes of Chiyonofuji, Takanohana and Konishiki AKA The Dump Truck.

So did I. Dad liked it too back then. I did watch a few matches online when it was on at the Royal Albert Hall last year.

Reuben klang · Monday at 21:48

I watched it when it was on last year. It was epic.

I’ve not watched any of it since that finished. I’m going to go to it when i’m next in Japan though.

opethdisciple · 2026-01-22T12:12:42+0000

I wonder if the sumos of ancient times had any role in the imperial army?

Could you imagine 1000 armoured sumos charging you.