Kaminariyuki

I think I've seen a small shop in Kanda near where I usually stay that must sell tegata, may have even seen a couple in the window.

I wonder if there are any records kept for this; number, time rate... And, I cannot remember the term for it but perhaps I need one of these hanging in my home somewhere.

In 2015, or thereabouts, I read a newspaper article that said his reaction times had been measured at about the same as those of Usain Bolt, the world record Jamaican sprinter. As a very early sumo fan, I didn't quite believe it. And, then we watched him for a bit and decided it could easily be true. I just hunted for corroboration but didn't find it quickly. Could be a tall tale. The two newspaper articles I scanned were riddled with errors about sumo, which I fear is all too common.

I don't know how often, or even if they play, anymore, but there is a basketball at Miyagino beya. It was incongruously on display in the stairwell with some trophies and other odds and ends when I visited in early 2020. Back then, they might have been impressed by the old man's 3-point shot, but now I haven't touched a basketball, myself, in fourteen months. Not even certain I could throw a ball all the way to the basket from the 3-point line.

Maybe I'll wait for the new venue before catching a basho in Nagoya. Hope they're putting a good AC system in there... I really enjoy the feel of the small facility in Fukuoka. I hope it survives far into the future, even though I know it's subpar for the athletes, gyoji, shinapan, and yobidashi. I know this because some of those folks actually share restroom facilities with the fans. I was quite shocked to see shinpan when I searched out one of the few WC.

I thanked the OP for their post but never said why Hakuho is my favorite. Of course, in the general community, there's a mixed reaction to Hakuho's personality and style. Sometimes his behavior is simply not very Japanese. I became a fan at his zenith and consider him one of the most focused and gifted athletes I've ever seen, in any sport. He is so intensely centered on winning, so extraordinarily fast, but with a cunning and finesse that make that speed an amazing asset. In-person, he is quite charismatic, IMO. I've only met him once, but I found him charming, particularly for such a famous person in an esteemed position. I don't know his philosophical or religious views, but I consider him to have a Buddhist-like approach, incongruous for such a violent sport. I will always remember a scene at one of the bashos I attended, where Hakuho seemed to be nearly in a meditative state as he sat beside the dohyo, awaiting the start of his bout. The action resulted in one of the rikishi being hurled off the elevated dohyo and completely taking out the guy sitting next to Hakuho. His eyes were slightly closed and from a distance, it seemed that he never flinched. We have a strong group of sanyaku, and possibly a few megashira, who are clearly now capable of competing with the dai-yokozuna, and may yet wear the rope themselves. He's getting older and nursing injuries and surgeries, but I don't think any of them would actually be favorites to beat him, even to this day. I admire his prowess and I confess, I actually like his style, too. A scrawny kid from Mongolia, go figure. THe man is completely dedicated to sumo. I hope I live to see him an oyakata, and may he train multiple yokozuna of the future.

This thread is a gold mine. Just wanted to thank Chanko Thief for the OP. If I'd have been watching back in the day, I'd have certainly been a Chiyonofuji and a Wajima fan, as well. I learned a little about the sport by watching some of the videos and reading the comments here. Arigato gozaimasu.

Thanks, I should have recognized Harumafuji...

Who is Hakuho fighting in that last clip?

I missed this thread last May, but I too am a Hakuho fan. Of course, as a fan of only five or six years, he's the only dai-yokozuna I've seen. Only seen a little video footage of some of the earlier top dogs, but after reading some of the comments on this thread, I need to go see what I can find of Wajima on Youtube. There must be something... I guess I like the bad boys. Go figure.

The NSK should get the rikish, yobidash, gyojis, etc., vaccinated before the next basho. I've read that we're about to have a glut of extra vaccines in the US as we try to talk some of my more foolish countrymen into taking the elixir of choice. I know that Japan has started vaccinating medical personnel, and of course, grocery and restaurant workers should be a high priority, but hey, sumo is the unofficial national sport, right? It's certainly helped me get through the pandemic, at least just a bit.

OK, we have a new sculpture by Alexandra Gestin here in my home town of Salt Lake City. I may get to see it today in person, but certainly one day soon. The sakura is about to be popping at the state Capital anyway. I'm interested to hear what anyone here on the forum thinks about this French artist's work: https://www.artsper.com/us/contemporary-artists/belgium/3614/alexandra-gestin And, here's an article about our new sculpture with a photo, entitled, "Rikishi" https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/arts/2021/03/30/photos-sumo-wrestler/ Does anyone recognize the rikishi? Could be a generic rikishi...

Congratulations, Terunofuji! I think he may be the most likely yokozuna promotion of our four ozeki. We shall see moving forward. Another May yusho would be rather impressive.

Does anyone know when Kakuryu's intai ceremony will be? Will there be video anywhere?

Well, Happy Banzuke Oazuke, the name suggested by Ahokaina for the day after senshuraku, very appropriate, IMO. That was a good one, although a shame Takakeisho did not force a playoff in makuuchi. Some excellent sumo and some of the young bucks are really stepping up like Wakatakakage. How about that kid (yes, 26 year-olds are now kids to me)? He went 10-5 from M2 with the technique prize, and that after a 2-4 start. I was impressed.