Cal Martin

Well we are working on it

I whish I could describe that day, all I knew is that I had lost a fight and that was never good enough to win the division. I was getting dressed and going to head back to the stable, Nishimouri, (Kaiketsu), kept saying, No, he finally wrote down "it's a tie", you still have to fight, now go win it. I had no idea there was Nine guys tied with the same record. It was a blast, at that time that was the most, and a odd number at that. Of course being the "Crazy American", who ever fought first would end up having to fight one more than the rest, so Hanakago volunteered me to be first. The outcome was history that day. Happy Trails, Cal

That is a great Idea, maybe we can work on that.

Boy, sounds like he never changed, his wife Satsutsuki, was one of my best friends while i was over there, she would help me practice after practice, I would push their family car around the streets of Asaguya. She was still in Highschool and had to learn English, obviously, I had to learn Japanese. I whish I could get a hold of her today, it's a shame what Wajima did to the stable, they were like a second family to me. I actually helped recruit Wajima, it was a big mistake, but he was like the number 1 draft choice, and all the stables wanted him. I could go on for hours about this subject, but I got to go for now. Have a Merry Christmas. Happy Trails, Cal

No problem, yes I did go to Hanakago's just on a dare, then he talked me into staying for one tournament(I think he thought I would get hooked), I did like it a lot, but it was good bye and I had fun, but not that much, my real interest was in building race engines. I left and as Joann says I went to work for Ford Motor Co. Seems as the Japanese newspapers were having a Hay Day with me over there, things like i would have been moved up in rank and I couldn't take it, so I went back with a vengeance, and the rest is history. As I have said before I was not at all like Jessi, he loved the life there, me not so much, he conformed and I was more the Mavrick. Happy Trails, Cal

I have to admit, I don't follow him on anything, it is funny though, John Gunning pointed out that he went to football after Sumo, and I started in football and went to Sumo. He was great at it, and every stable was after him, kind of like being selected first round in our NFL draft. Hanakago was as close as a second family I will ever know, and how he ruined his legacy is terrible, however this is just my opinion, probably because I was so close to him. Hanakago took a big chance on me, but he was a bit of a rebel himself, at that time all the good athletes were going to baseball, and soccer, you got money right up front, Sumo, you had to earn it. Takamiyama (who I admired greatly) was okay with the Sumo way and the Sumo life, I was just from a different cut of cloth. Great talking with you, have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Years. Happy Trails, Cal

To Hakutorizakura, Wajima was just totally opposite of me, he was a natural at Sumo, in fact I was totally jealous of how hard I had to work at it, and it just came so easy for him. As a person away from Sumo he thought he was just a cut above everyone else. I do resent what he did to the stable and Oyakata's daughter, she was a great friend and she actually helped me practice after practice, I would push the family car around Tokyo,to build up my legs, she would steer the car. She was still in Highschool and had to learn English, I had to learn Japanese, so we had a good time helping each other. Of course this is just my opinion, but many of the other wrestlers felt as I did. Anything else I can shed some light on I will be glad to. Happy Trails, Cal

Back in the late 60's and early 70's, the rules were a lot more easy, I don't think any one screwed up as much as I did, but they also knew that I didn't understand a single thing about Sumo or it's culture, but I am pretty sure it was because of me they started the "One per Beya" Cal

Glad to help in anyway I can, it's been 51 years, but I remember it well. You probably have no Idea what a secret world Sumo is, I personally think it will never be a sport in the Olympics, or for that matter, any Armature type status, it's a total way of life, anything I can help you with, please feel free to ask, it might answer somebody else's question. Happy Trails. Cal

Jessie and I were not in the same stable, we did some U.S. Base functions together, but yes he did live his dream, and he was totally fine with all the Japanese customs, and like I said I wasn't.

It did make a huge impact on my work ethics, it did in everything I took on, I was the opposite from Jessi(Takamiyama), he took to all their customs and had always planned on staying in Japan, I had a lot of things I could see in the future, and they were important to me, if I stayed, that would have interrupted them immensely. Are you anywhere near Lake Conroe? I really like that place, but they didn't have any boat racing like at Lake Marble Falls, i did that for about 15 years.

Hey just noticed you are from San Diego area, my daughter lives in Santee, I'm guessing that the answer to your question is yes, not sure what a doten-yusho is?

Hey Sumojoann, do you ever get to the hillcountry? I have a place in Buchanan Dam, it's right by Lake Buchanan, I used to go to Houston area a lot for work, but with all this stuff going on, I haven't been back t9 Texas since March.

Actually I think each division could receive one, mine were in two different divisions.

I was glad that I did open the door for other Foreigner's who followed, but as to why I left when I did, it was my going to make sekitori-hood, that had a lot to do with it. I know, the real hard part was over. It gets real complicated, and author (Dave Chodack) was writing a book, and then a screen play, and then he passed away, so i am currently trying to finish it as we speak. I am no writer, but trying, if nothing else just for my own family. Sumo was never my first priority, in fact a lot of people who know me today only know i raced cars and boats, how ever they ask, what are those plaques in that foreign language, there with all your trophies? I did receive Fighting Spirit award twice, while i was fighting over there. To answer your question about any regrets, not a one, and Oyakata was good with-it, or it never would have happened. Just a little hint, Wajima does end up taking over Hanakago stable, but only because I wasn't there. Cal