Sumo in NYTimes

[Chinonofuji 35]

Just wanted to make sure everyone saw the article on sumo in the New York Times. It was published in the Sunday, August 3 edition, on page 3 of the front page section!! (Punk rocker...)

Here is the link: http://www.nytimes.com/2003/08/03/internat...sia/03JAPA.html

The article focuses on the influx of foreign wrestlers, with the headline "Fears That the New State of Sumo Defiles Tradition." It says that "Japanese people feel sad" that there is no Japanese Yokozuna and that "the sadness has deepened with the prediction that no Japanese will become a grand champion anytime soon." Take that Kaio! :-O

Article goes on to talk about Kokkai, Kotooshu, Asashoryu, Akebono, and Musashimaru. Also puts forward the idea that the Japanese just don't "want it" as badly as the foreign wrestlers. It is not overly sensationalistic about Asashoryu, but does throw out the "sumo turning into the WWF" canard.

Last, there's a great graphic comparing Musashimaru, Asashoryu, Kokkai, and Hoshitango. I don't know how to get the graphic over here. You need to view the article and look for the "MULTIMEDIA" link.

--C.

[Doitsuyama 1,259]

Here is the graphic:

Well, I'm not too impressed by the graphic, even the pics of the rikishi seem to be exactly the NSK ones. And I can't praise an article which states "Most significant, for the first time in the history of Japan, no Japanese ranks as a grand champion" which is obviously a load of bull.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

Nonetheless, an interesting article. I wish there was more sumo coverage in US papers (Punk rocker...)