Chanko Thief

I’m a huge Zatoichi fan so I was stoked when I came across this episode featuring a sumo wrestler. Enjoy:

Yeah that’s what I was thinking because it definitely has that vibe to it, but I wasn’t sure if the sashes were based on some historical ceremonial garb that has since phased out of sumo. I can’t find anything online about them, so it must be strictly for the movie. Thank you for your input.

Right, my question is regarding this clip. I have never seen sashes in sumo before and would like to know the story behind this (if any).

Does anybody know the story behind the sashes that the rikishi are wearing at the beginning of the video? I’ve never seen such garments worn by sumo wrestlers before....

I thought that strange as well. For my part, I am not a huge fan of Takanohana for some reason. He just never really grabbed my attention the way that other past Yokozuna have, and I was always more a fan of Akebono which I’m sure plays into it somehow. In fact, dare I say that I prefer Wakanohana? I remember a couple of his matches fondly. But I admit that it has been some time since I last revisited Taka’s career. Time to watch some old matches of his to see if my opinion has changed.

Greetings All, I have been a fan of the forum for a couple of years now as a guest but haven’t had the time to join and post until now. But I am happy to be a part of the SF community now and look forward to getting to know you all and hearing how you came to enjoy this sport that we all love so much. I have nobody in my life who shares my passion for sumo (though my wife tries to watch somewhat enthusiastically with me) so I can’t wait to have people to discuss it with. Kaio made me a fan of ozumo back in about 2011 and I have been hooked ever since. While I obviously enjoy watching current sumo, I am fascinated by sumo’s rich history and love studying the sekitori of the past and most of my favorites are from long before I started watching sumo. My other interests include boxing, strongman, and all things Jurassic Park. Can’t wait to get to know you all throughout the years but if you have any questions for/about me, feel free to ask.

Love it. Kaio brought me to sumo and will always be one of my favorites, thank you.

Often times I find a great YouTube video of some rare sumo footage or in this case, a wonderful Japanese documentary about a particular rikishi, only to have the video removed or the account deleted. It breaks my heart each time because I know I will never find this footage again, and in some cases it is possible that this historical footage could be lost forever. Does anybody know of a way to save/preserve such videos? I thought that saving them in my “watch later” queue would save them, but when the YouTube account that posted the video originally gets deleted, the video goes with it. What inspired this thread was a brilliant Japanese documentary I found on YouTube about Kitanoumi a few months ago. It centered around the end of his career and showed amazing footage of him playing with his little boy, him visiting a knee specialist and discussing the X-ray showing ligament damage, him wearing a Nike/adidas track suit while biking around Tokyo, and even a great bit on his okamisan (I believe) preparing a beautiful sushi platter for him out of the sea bream that he got for winning the yusho. All incredible, never to be seen again footage gone in an instant because somebody decided to delete their YouTube account. Tragic....

It’s a Windows, I know that, but I’m afraid I don’t know more than that as I am far from a technology person haha. I always have to have my wife help me out with anything computer related.

On the far left? Unless I’m mistaken, I believe that is Toyonoshima.

There is some great feedback/discussion on this thread everyone, let’s keep it coming, I would love to see this topic expand and get everyone’s input, especially all of the new people joining the forum. Here is a great video (curtesy of YouTube account Sumo, Sumo, Sumo) of various Yokozuna performing the dohyo-iri.

I’m sure a lot of you have seen this one already, but it’s always good for a laugh. Hakuho bowling:

When is the average rikishi in their physical prime? In heavyweight boxing, fighters are often in their prime years in their early 30s, but in lower weight classes, fighters peak at much younger ages. How does this compare in sumo? I imagine that due to accumulating injuries and excess strain on the joints etc., that a rikishi’s physical peak would be in their 20s, and it would be sort of a gradual decline from there, no?

Nicely done my friend. Thank you for the research/breakdown.

Of course each individual athlete will have a different peak age, but as with many sports, there is a general trend that can be determined. Barring outliers such as Hakuho (ATG) and Kyokutenho etc., what would you say is the average age range?

Ura is a very entertaining rikishi no doubt. If he can only stay healthy, he is young enough to rise again and create more excitement in Makuuchi. A big ask I know, but stranger things have happened.

Much appreciated kawika, thank you.

This came up on another thread recently. So he for sure had a personal trainer during his active sumo career? Any links to articles or videos on the subject would be greatly appreciated.

I suppose. Definitely a lack of definition in rikishi nowadays though.

Agreed, I don’t think this trend helps sumo at all. Not only the extra weight but as I watch more and more sumo from the past, i can’t help but notice that the musculature of the rikishi has gone down dramatically as well. All the way up to the 90’s and maybe even the early 2000’s, it seems that rikishi had a lot more muscle mass, especially in their arms. You don’t usually see that kind of build/definition anymore.

I can’t seem to narrow down my list any further, but some of my favorites (in no particular order) are: Oonokuni Hakuho Kitanoumi Takanosato Some honorable mentions: Akebono, Asashoryu, Chiyonofuji, and Musashimaru

There seems to be a lot of love for Chiyonofuji out there so I thought I would post this awesome highlight of his 53 bout win streak. Credit to YouTube account bobbooty for uploading.

I’m curious....

Good shout out. He did seem like a cool guy and he was strong as a bull. Always entertaining seeing him out there on the dohyo. I hope he finds great success as an oyakata and that he can one day find the next Hawaiian hope to bring to sumo.

Watched this last night, a great docu Joann, thank you for sharing!