Jejima

This is really sad news. I first came into contact with Doreen about twenty years ago when I was living in Hiroshima Prefecture. I used to write a Sumo Column (called the Teppo) for a monthly 'magazine' for the 100 or so JET teachers in the area. I wrote her an email with ten sumo questions, asking her to choose five to answer, to be printed in my column. She kindly answered all ten. It was my great pleasure to meet with her later in person.

I think we're one short of players for the absolute, absolute mimimum required (before I rustle up some of babies Peter and Felix's cuddly toys as 'official drones') before I would be happy to go ahead with organising the Bench World Cup 2018. So, who wants to play? Refiojis 1. Jakusotsu 2. Achiyama 3. Nekonishiki 4. Pandaazuma 5. Atenzan 6. (Suwihuto) 7. (Jejima) 8. (Achiyama II) Players 1. Jejima 2. Jakusotsu 3. Furanohana 4. Chijanofuji 5. Achiyama 6. Nekonishiki 7. Suwihuto 8. Atenzan 9. chishafuwaku 10. Kintamayama 11. Pitinosato 12. Pandaazuma 13. Fujiko (Jejima's wife) 14. Bae Dat (Jejima's 2 year old son) 15. Fi Lik (Jejima's 1 year old son) 16. Shatsume 17. Nantonoyama 18. Kawika 19. Benihana 20. Krisachiyama (grandson of Achiyama) 21. Anon for now (Atenzan's friend) 22. Anon 2 (Achiyama's daughter) 23. Anon 3 (Achiyama's son-in-law) 24. Andonishiki 25. Aminoumi (daughter of Andonishiki) 26. aoyume (son of Andonishiki) 27. Crall 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.

Many thanks to Achiyama for rallying the troops.... Although we have just about managed to scrape together enough refijois (very important!), I think we are still lacking players to make it possible to play. (It is a little early to recruit Mr Froggy and Mr Fluffy - beloved soft toys of this household - to make up the numbers, as they did for Euros 2016.) I think the maximum number of 'official drones' - if ever necessary - should be just four, as there are already a few semi-serious players (my two babies, and perhaps Achiyama's grandson). So we need at least another 7 *real* players need to be recruited before we can consider game on! So, please consider playing - even if you are a mild fan - and also recruit your wife/husband/child/grandchild/friend/person you met on the bus, to help get the numbers up! Refiojis 1. Jakusotsu 2. Achiyama 3. Nekonishiki 4. Pandaazuma 5. Atenzan 6. (Suwihuto) 7. (Jejima) 8. (Achiyama II) Players 1. Jejima 2. Jakusotsu 3. Furanohana 4. Chijanofuji 5. Achiyama 6. Nekonishiki 7. Suwihuto 8. Atenzan 9. chishafuwaku 10. Kintamayama 11. Pitinosato 12. Pandaazuma 13. Fujiko (Jejima's wife) 14. Bae Dat (Jejima's 2 year old son) 15. Fi Lik (Jejima's 1 year old son) 16. Shatsume 17. Nantonoyama 18. Kawika 19. Benihana 20. Krisachiyama (grandson of Achiyama) 21. Anon for now (Atenzan's friend) 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.

Just in case it is possible to drum up some more support.... I will keep the possibility open for another week of having a Bench World Cup 2018. I have just recruited my whole family to play.... But still need another 16 players - and two more referees.... Refiojis 1. Jakusotsu 2. Achiyama 3. Nekonishiki 4. Pandaazuma 5. Atenzan 6. 7. (Jejima) 8. (Suwihuto) Players 1. Jejima 2. Jakusotsu 3. Furanohana 4. Chijanofuji 5. Achiyama 6. Nekonishiki 7. Suwihuto 8. Atenzan 9. chishafuwaku 10. Kintamayama 11. Pitinosato 12. Pandaazuma 13. Fujiko (Jejima's wife) 14. Bae Dat (Jejima's 2 year old son) 15. Fi Lik (Jejima's 1 year old son) 16. Shatsume 17. Nantonoyama 18. Kawika 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.

Bump!

Over a third of the way! Refiojis 1. Jakusotsu 2. Achiyama 3. Nekonishiki 4. Pandaazuma 5. 6. 7. 8. (Suwihuto) Players 1. Jejima 2. Jakusotsu 3. Furanohana 4. Chijanofuji 5. Achiyama 6. Nekonishiki 7. Suwihuto 8. Atenzan 9. chishafuwaku 10. Kintamayama 11. Pitinosato 12. Pandaazuma 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.

Hi everyone, Here is the new Bench Sumo banzuke for May 2018. It was crafted by Kaiomitsuki, Flohru and Jejima, watched over by Ekigozan, Asashosakari and Kintamayama. Do not be fooled by the spped by which the new banzuke is being published - this time it was not an easy one to make. Not at all. The sanyaku has been expanded to ten, which is sort of a maximum for Bench Sumo (but who knows what the banzuke committee would have decided *if* Itachi had got an 8th win on senshuraku and/or Norizo had got his 9th win on the same day!). We aim to keep it at eight, whenever possible. This means there will likely be some harsh demotions after the May basho. Speaking of harsh demotions, there are several this time around. Let's all take a moment to sympathise with Hokuyutaka and Holleshoryu, among others. There is some good luck for some players, so keep your fingers crossed. Here it is! Jejima (BS rijicho) ScreechingOwl (O1W, 8-7) O1 Rubensan (O1E, 6-9) Itachiyama (O2W, KOSHO) O2 Chocshoporyu (S1W, 11-4) Damimonay (S1E, 9-6) S1 Saruyama (M3W, 12-3) Jakusotsu (O2E, 4-11) S2 Yassier (K1E, 8-7) K1 Achiyama (K1W, 8-7) K2 Gurowake (M2E, 10-5) Norizo (M1W, 8-7) M1 tainosen (M3E, 8-7) Leonishiki (M5W, 9-6) 2 Gaijingai (M2W, KOSHO) Itachi (M1E, 7-8) 3 Oshirokita (M6W, 8-7) pandaazuma (M7W, 8-7) 4 Furanohana (M10E, 9-6) Pitinosato (M14E, 10-5) 5 Flohru (M13E, 9-6) Gawasukotto (M11E, 8-7) 6 Bill (M15W, 10-5) Getayukata (M11W, 8-7) 7 Haidouzo (M16W, 10-5) Kintamayama (M14W, 9-6) 8 Chijanofuji (M17E, 10-5) Metzinowaka (M6E, 6-9) 9 Taka (M4E, 5-10) Ruziklao (M7E, 6-9) 10 toonoryu (M9W, 7-8) Susanoo (M8E, 6-9) 11 Roundeye (M10W, 7-8) Konosato (M4W, 4-11) 12 Tsunamiko (M12W, KOSHO) Terarno (J1E, 10-5) 13 tokugawa (M9E, 6-9) Sherlockiama (M15E, 8-7) 14 kamogawa (J2W, 10-5) Yamashade (M8W, 5-10) 15 Kitahotaru (J5W, 11-4) mischashimaru (M17W, 8-7) 16 Mariohana (J1W, 8-7) Hokuyutaka (M5E, 3-12) J1 Holleshoryu (M13W, 7-8) Frinkanohana (M12E, 5-10) 2 Hironoumi (J8E, 10-5) GONZABUROW (M16E, 6-9) 3 Ihopeso (J2E, 7-8) Andoreasu (J3E, 7-8) 4 Watashi (J3W, 7-8) fujiyama (J12E, 11-4) 5 Mmikasazuma (J10W, 10-5) Fujisan (J9E, 9-6) 6 shimodahito (J11W, 8-7) Boltbutthamma (J4E, 6-9) 7 Kasamatsuri (J12W, 8-7) Sebunshu (J7W, 7-8) 8 Kaiowaka (ms2E, 10-5) Jejima (J8W, 7-8) 9 andonishiki (J6W, 6-9) Unkonoyama (J4W, 5-10) 10 Anjoboshi (J5E, 5-10) Senkoho (J11E, KOSHO) 11 Kaiomitsuki (J9W, 7-8) Basoyama (J13W, 8-7) 12 chishafuwaku (ms4W, 10-5) kuroimori (J6E, 4-11) 13 Homuburyuwa (ms10E, 12-3) iwakoko (J14E, KOSHO) 14 Tenshinhan (ms3W, 9-6) Kitakachiyama (ms4E, 9-6) ms1 Sakura (ms2W, 8-7) Marushiki (J13E, 7-8) 2 Kotononami (ms3E, 8-7) Chisaiyama (J10E, 5-10) 3 Wamahada (J14W, 7-8) Hana-ichi (J7E, 3-12) 4 McBugger (ms9W, 10-5) Maeden (ms1E, 6-9) 5 Kyodaitimu (ms1W, 6-9) Rikishimiezi (ms11E, 10-5) 6 Takanorappa (ms7W, 8-7) Heiyu (ms8W, 8-7) 7 Hibarifuji (ms5E, 6-9) Kitanoyama (ms8E, KOSHO) 8 Kofujinokami (ms5W, 6-9) Rowitoro (ms6E, 6-9) 9 Nekonishiki (ms14E, 8-7) Suwihuto (ms15W, 8-7) 10 Akokoneko (ms10W, KOSHO) aoyume (ms16E, 8-7) 11 Mukanibaru (ms6W, 5-10) Fujiko (ms12E, 7-8) 12 Aminoumi (ms12W, 6-9) Kintsubasa (ms11W, 5-10) 13 sekihiryu (ms13W, KOSHO) Unagiyutaka (ms9E, 4-11) 14 Nantonoyama (ms16W, 7-8) Feginowaka (ms14W, 6-9) 15 VESHANA (ms15E, 5-10) Banzuke-gai Bunijiman (ms7E, 0-0-15) Chimatayama (ms13E, 0-0-15)

Now that is just being silly!

Hi everyone! Back in 2010, we had the inaugural Bench World Cup. This is a fantasy sports game played during the football (soccer) World Cup. Since then, there has been another Bench World Cup in 2014, and two Bench Euros in 2012 and 2016. Here are the basic rules of the game. (I will check through carefully, and update where necessary, if the Bench World Cup 2018 goes ahead.) It is a little early, but my family will probably be heading to the Philippines for my brother-in-law's wedding in late May, returning to Hong Kong just before the start of the World Cup. In the Philippines, my Internet access is pretty poor (or worse), so I would like to see if there is enough interest to run the 2018 edition of the game, and set up all of the basics by the end of April, before we all get wrapped up in the May basho. Let's see if enough people sign up to play before mid April to decide whether or not to run the game. That then leaves two weeks (before the end of April) to do the pre-tournament admin (selection of teams etc) - meaning no need to interfere with the May basho - nor my family's trip to the land of bad Internet. Who would like to play (we need 32 competitors, plus a few substitutes, ideally) - preference is normally given to sumo game players and sumo fans, but also interested family members (and other friends?), and who would be able to help out as a 'refioji' (referee/gyoji - term originally coined by Achiyama). Please register your interest to play below, and whether you would be able to kindly help out with the administration. (For the group stages of the World Cup, the refiojis wil be asked to look after one group - so 4 players). Refiojis 1. Jakusotsu 2. Achiyama 3. Nekonishiki 4. Pandaazuma 5. Atenzan 6. (Suwihuto) 7. (Jejima) 8. (Achiyama II) Players 1. Jejima 2. Jakusotsu 3. Furanohana 4. Chijanofuji 5. Achiyama 6. Nekonishiki 7. Suwihuto 8. Atenzan 9. chishafuwaku 10. Kintamayama 11. Pitinosato 12. Pandaazuma 13. Fujiko (Jejima's wife) 14. Bae Dat (Jejima's 2 year old son) 15. Fi Lik (Jejima's 1 year old son) 16. Shatsume 17. Nantonoyama 18. Kawika 19. Benihana 20. Krisachiyama (grandson of Achiyama) 21. Anon for now (Atenzan's friend) 22. Anon 2 (Achiyama's daughter) 23. Anon 3 (Achiyama's son-in-law) 24. Andonishiki 25. Aminoumi (daughter of Andonishiki) 26. aoyume (son of Andonishiki) 27. Crall 28. 29. 30. 31. 32.

Hi everyone, I am proud to announce that the Bench Sumo banzuke making committee has decided to promote Chocshoporyu to the rank of Ozeki. His results over the past three bashos have been:- Nov 2017: 11-4 (M4W) Jan 2018: 9-6 (K1E) Mar 2018: 11-4 (S1W) This exceeds the Bench Sumo Ozeki promotion guideline of 30 wins over three bashos, with the last basho of the series being been ranked at Sekiwake. Congratulations! With the imminent demotion of Jakusotsu to Sekiwake, it wil mean that we will have two Sumo Talk Ichimon Ozekis (SreechingOwl and Chocshoporyu) to match up against the two Ozekis from the Sakura Ichimon (Rubensan and Itachiyama). Exciting times! We look forward to hearing from Chocshoporyu with his Ozeki acceptance speech. Jejima (BS rijicho)

Any chance of Tochinoshin getting promoted to Ozeki? He has 33 wins over the past 3 bashos, including a yusho, with the last being 10 wins at Sekiwake... (I guess not.)

March 2018 Jakusotsu (Y1E 9-6) Y1 Gurowake (Y1W Kosho) Kuroimori (YO1E 6-6-3) YO1 O1 Gernobono (O1W Kosho)Atenzan (S1E 8-5-2) S1 Sakura (S1W 10-5) Andonishiki (S2E Kosho) S2 Tenshinhan (K1E 6-6-3) K1 Jejima (K1W 3-11-1) orandashoho (M1E 6-9) M1 Profomisakari (M1W 6-9) shimodahito (M2E 7-7-1) M2 WAKATAKE (M2W 7-8)chishafuwaku (M3E 8-7) M3 Ryoshishokunin (M3W 5-6-4) The Kyokai (M4E 2-13) M4 KK line: 7-8 OQ line: 9-6 Yusho: Sakura (S1W 10-5) Jun-Yusho: Jakusotsu (Y1E 9-6) Shukunsho: Sakura Kantosho: Jakusotsu, Atenzan Ginosho: Jakusotsu ************************************************************************ New banzuke for May 2018 Jakusotsu (Y1E 9-6) Y1 Kuroimori (YO1E 6-6-3) Gurowake (Y1W Kosho) Y2 Gernobono (O1W Kosho) O1 Sakura (S1W 10-5)Atenzan (S1E 8-5-2) S1 Andonishiki (S2E Kosho) chishafuwaku (M3E 8-7) K1 shimodahito (M2E 7-7-1) WAKATAKE (M2W 7-8) M1 Tenshinhan (K1E 6-6-3) Profomisakari (M1W 6-9) M2 orandashoho (M1E 6-9)Jejima (K1W 3-11-1) M3 Ryoshishokunin (M3W 5-6-4) The Kyokai (M4E 2-13) M4 Comments: Jakusotsu is commended on his jun-Yusho, and his Ozeki Quality Sumo. Kuroimori is of great concern. Although it is noted that he was absent for three days with a mysterious injury, his MK is NOT the sort of sumo expected of from a Yokozuna. He will be expected to do much better in May - or do the honourable thing, if he again fails at his exalted rank. Gurowake was unable to compete this basho. We wish him well, and hope to see him in action in May. Gernobono was kosho this basho - but his losing record in January has not been forgotten. He will be kadoban once again in May, and needs to turn up to have a chance of saving his rank. Sakura met the target given to her of a yusho, and so has been promoted to Ozeki. We urge her to continue to do her best at this rank. If she wins the yusho again in May, she will be considered for a quick promotion to Yokozuna. Atenzan will be considered for promotion to Ozeki with a yusho in May. (I am still considering slightly changing the way that I determine the KK line (and perhaps also the OQ line.) - but need some time to do it. If I do decide to tweak it (them) a little, I will announce it before the day 1 deadline for the May basho.)

New banzuke for May 2018 Jakusotsu (Y1E 9-6) Y1 Kuroimori (YO1E 6-6-3) Gurowake (Y1W Kosho) Y2 Gernobono (O1W Kosho) O1 Sakura (S1W 10-5)Atenzan (S1E 8-5-2) S1 Andonishiki (S2E Kosho) chishafuwaku (M3E 8-7) K1 shimodahito (M2E 7-7-1) WAKATAKE (M2W 7-8) M1 Tenshinhan (K1E 6-6-3) Profomisakari (M1W 6-9) M2 orandashoho (M1E 6-9)Jejima (K1W 3-11-1) M3 Ryoshishokunin (M3W 5-6-4) The Kyokai (M4E 2-13) M4 Comments: Jakusotsu is commended on his jun-Yusho, and his Ozeki Quality Sumo. Kuroimori is of great concern. Although it is noted that he was absent for three days with a mysterious injury, his MK is NOT the sort of sumo expected of from a Yokozuna. He will be expected to do much better in May - or do the honourable thing, if he again fails at his exalted rank. Gurowake was unable to compete this basho. We wish him well, and hope to see him in action in May. Gernobono was kosho this basho - but his losing record in January has not been forgotten. He will be kadoban once again in May, and needs to turn up to have a chance of saving his rank. Sakura met the target given to her of a yusho, and so has been promoted to Ozeki. We urge her to continue to do her best at this rank. If she wins the yusho again in May, she will be considered for a quick promotion to Yokozuna. Atenzan will be considered for promotion to Ozeki with a yusho in May. (I am still considering slightly changing the way that I determine the KK line (and perhaps also the OQ line.) - but need some time to do it. If I do decide to tweak it (them) a little, I will announce it before the day 1 deadline for the May basho.)