Asashouryuu Sumo cup-children sumo

[Kintamayama 47,316]

The first Asashouryuu Cup tournament for children will be held today at the KKan. 12 teams, including a Mongolian team, a team with three of Ootake Oyakata's kids, and a team named after Hidehiko Yoshida will be among the participants. The trophy worth 10 million yen was designed by baseball star Ichiro's older brother Suzuki Kazuyasu. "I imagined a dragon rising over the clouds when I designed it", he explained. Among the celebrity guests- Akebono and Antonio Inoki.

Edited August 29, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Kintamayama 47,316]

Cup- notice the dragon rising over the clouds, probably after smoking from the pack on the bottom left:

BTW, entrance to the tournament is (was??) free.

Edited August 29, 2009 by Kintamayama

[Orion 431]

Cup- notice the dragon rising over the clouds, probably after smoking from the pack on the bottom left:

BTW, entrance to the tournament is (was??) free.

It was indeed free, though there were quite a lot of helpers holding boxes for charity contributions. In fact, if you added together all the 'Staff' of various kinds, plus the media people -- the front top rows had been completely given over to different camera crews -- plus the restaurants that were doing 'yatai' (food stalls) outside, they might just have outnumbered the spectators. But the spectators seemed to be largely parents and siblings of the contestants, so separating everybody out is not an easy job.

But basically it was a big promotional success with 12 teams of contestants, one in each age group, mainly 8,9,10,11, and 12. The dohyo was real, the one used in May and in remarkably good condition considering; it will be replaced with the new one for the Aki basho next week.

Unfortunately the sturdy Mongolian team won -- which does not send out quite the right message -- but at the end the interviews were handled well (interpreted from Mongolian), followed by a decent chance for the runners-up; and the event finished with Asashoryu making sure that all the contestants got their own team picture taken with him (including the managers), and afterwards making time to sign autographs. This was, for the contestants and their families, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

I'm still wondering where all the 'helpers' were recruited from, starting with the nice young ladies on the gate who did a cursory check of baggae and insisted on the ritual hand-disinfectant (in my case twice, because midway I left and did a bit of shopping, went home, and returned for the presentations).

I looked for Ilovesumo and Ilovetochinoshin but assumed that they were sitting right at the front.

[Kintamayama 47,316]

Asashouryuu and the winning Mongolian kids:

[ryafuji 825]

Sturdy indeed. Obese would be another way of putting it. I agree it's not really sending out a great messaege. (My sumo books always told me that fat kids don't necessarily make good rikishi anyway.)

Edited August 29, 2009 by ryafuji

[ilovesumo 12]

I was there alone! I sat in 正, that the cameras only could catch my back. hehe

Guess we missed each other, Doreen.

The proud winners.

It was Kid's Sumo mixed up with show...too much show if you ask me...

Sorry, I did not get her name, guess cause I did not want to....got NO fable for idols..."Pinky Cuty" would fit...(sorry...but AHHHHHHHHHHHH...you really can get rhich with that? Then I dont want to... (Sigh...) )

and the squieky voice was too loud for me. I have no idea how the other people around could stand that. I have had problems with my sensitive ears (no irony) and almost died there, blown away by the loooooud music.

The whole group.

Dunno who the band is. Before they went on the stage, 2 of their groupies sat down in front of me. So the guys must be in teeny-dreams. (Cannot be the music, must be the look....)

A Pokemon-show. Could at least have had something to do with Sumo.

Just my oppinion, but the halli gally with the Idol and the band, all that advertising - it really took away the spotlight from those who were the real stars yesterday - from the Kids! The parents around me, me, guess everybody but the groupies of that band were waiting for the final...

"Fantarou" was pointing at his "big brother's" portraits...

In the Fanta advertising, he is not the Yokozuna Asashoryuu, no, he is "Fantarou" - mixture of the company's name plus Tarou, a Japanese first name. Even in the TV-spots he is called Fantarou.....Funny, but nobody is talking about a Yokozuna's pride, when it comes to the big money deals...anybody seen the Fanta spots? The yokozuna is dancing to the "momi momi-song"...looks like the "Funky Chicken" if you ask me. It is all about squeezing a bottle to get the drink out of it. "Fantasomethingstick"

I was waiting for the final.

The kids really won my heart, as well as the parents. And this time I was not shy, I was loud and cheered for the Komatsuryuu team of John. My hands hurt from clapping loudly....

I remembered the kids from watching their Keiko 3 years ago. That was cool to see em performing well. I cross my fingers.

Taira-sensei (former Dewataira) went to the kids before each bout, gave em tips. That is how a trainer should be.

The Komatsuryuu-A team kids. 2. Place.

The Mongolian boys.

When Asa gave the medailles to the mongolian boys, he kissed each of em. Great scene. He really has that fatherly aura. I like that very much.

More pix and vids (still uploading)

Edited August 30, 2009 by ilovesumo

[Kotoviki 16]

Verena, Thanks for the pics & info!! I really wanted to go with you!!! I just can't cancel work twice in two weeks... I hate the working Saturdays! I only got two Saturdays a month & one the last week of August every year.. so when I ask to cancel I need good reason! OH & I need work to pay my sumo tickets! I had to cancel next week because I've been invited on the USS George Washington Family-Friendship day cruise. It is too fantastic an opportunity to pass up.. cruising the Tokyo Bay and into Shizuoka... & an airshow from the deck! Definitely had to cancel for that!

But I was there with you in spirit! hope that makes up for it!!!