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 · 16 Jan 2026 at 00:21

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

Bubo · 16 Jan 2026 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 · 16 Jan 2026 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 · 16 Jan 2026 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 · 16 Jan 2026 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 · 16 Jan 2026 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 · 18 Jan 2026 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 · 19 Jan 2026 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 · 22 Jan 2026 at 12:12

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

Could you imagine 1000 armoured sumos charging you.

Parky · 22 Jan 2026 at 16:13

Funnily enough, in the last couple of weeks yes. My daughter had a piece of work to catch up on where she had to list interesting things about Japan to write about, when she mentioned sports I showed her sumo, been on the tv every other night since.

We've been watching a catch up on the days results for the tournament on at the moment, my YouTube then recommended some of the channels for each stable, following them train, how they prepare and eat, some really interesting stuff tbh.

GeorgeStorm · 28 Jan 2026 at 11:40

Wanted to give time to avoid spoilers but what did people think of the basho?

Haven't checked sumodb or similar but if Aonishki wins March we'd have quite the meteoric rise to Yokozuna. Definitely feel he's got elements of people like Ura, Midorifuji, even Enho, where there's a difference in style causing issues which will slowly improve as other rikishi figure him out, but unlike those others he also has far more raw strength and ability, so even once they do he won't be dropping down the banzuke very far (or at all if he does become Yokozuna) in my opinion.

Was happy to see Asanoyama back in the top division even though was disappointed to see him finish 9-6, Kirishima starting to look really good again, and poor Takanosho, always liked him, had a bit of a smile compared to most rikishi when first watching and getting to know them but this basho was not a good one for him

((

Bluebozzy · 30 Jan 2026 at 11:08

GeorgeStorm said:
Wanted to give time to avoid spoilers but what did people think of the basho?

Haven't checked sumodb or similar but if Aonishki wins March we'd have quite the meteoric rise to Yokozuna. Definitely feel he's got elements of people like Ura, Midorifuji, even Enho, where there's a difference in style causing issues which will slowly improve as other rikishi figure him out, but unlike those others he also has far more raw strength and ability, so even once they do he won't be dropping down the banzuke very far (or at all if he does become Yokozuna) in my opinion.

Was happy to see Asanoyama back in the top division even though was disappointed to see him finish 9-6, Kirishima starting to look really good again, and poor Takanosho, always liked him, had a bit of a smile compared to most rikishi when first watching and getting to know them but this basho was not a good one for him ((

Not exactly one for the ages but some very solid sumo. Aonishiki is incredible and I always look forward to his bouts as he's so distinctive, but I disagree with the air of intangibility he's been given. I don't think we'll see him at Yokozuna under the same circumstances Hoshoryu was promoted, and he'll definitely need to outright win 2 back-to-back which may be a tough ask when Ono recovers.

Looks like we're seeing the back of Ryuden again, they'll have to drop him down to Juryo given both East and West Juyro #1 had winning records. I couldn't be happier about that given his personal life and his, frankly, awful sumo. Tough time for Hatsuyama too on his first showing in Makuuchi. While 2-13 is a terrible record, he had some very strong bouts that he just couldn't secure. Some valuable experience and maybe we'll see him again soon.

GeorgeStorm · 30 Jan 2026 at 13:16

Bluebozzy said:
Not exactly one for the ages but some very solid sumo. Aonishiki is incredible and I always look forward to his bouts as he's so distinctive, but I disagree with the air of intangibility he's been given. I don't think we'll see him at Yokozuna under the same circumstances Hoshoryu was promoted, and he'll definitely need to outright win 2 back-to-back which may be a tough ask when Ono recovers.

Looks like we're seeing the back of Ryuden again, they'll have to drop him down to Juryo given both East and West Juyro #1 had winning records. I couldn't be happier about that given his personal life and his, frankly, awful sumo. Tough time for Hatsuyama too on his first showing in Makuuchi. While 2-13 is a terrible record, he had some very strong bouts that he just couldn't secure. Some valuable experience and maybe we'll see him again soon.

Yes but if he wins March I can't see them not promoting him, since I can't see him winning with 11-4 or similar, so 2 in a row and he's there. Sadly I'm worried both Hoshoryu and Onosato will go the way of many in a classic sumo move of not letting injuries heal enough. You would have thought of all people Kisenosato would know better for Onosato!

Yeah really sad to see Hatsuyama, never like seeing first timers get absolutely wrecked, especially if they've done well in Juryo as he'll potentially end up lower down than he was before!