Emmett Doyle 0 Posted September 20, 2020 Hi all, I've recently launched a YouTube channel, I interview martial artists from around the globe, finding out more about them and there art, I was hoping I could find an English speaking sumo wrestler on here that would be open to an interview? Anyone point me in the correct direction? Thank you Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sumojoann 1,269 Posted September 21, 2020 Hi Emmett, Welcome to Sumo Forum! There are people from all backgrounds on here, but I'm not aware of any members who are currently active sumo wrestlers. Were you hoping to talk to a Japanese sumo wrestler who speaks English or any sumo wrestler? What about if they are amateurs? If you wouldn't mind talking to an amateur, you could contact Andrew Freund, the Director of USA Sumo at 310-288-3641. He's very friendly and could probably ask one of the wrestlers he knows to talk to you. (I don't know Andrew Freund personally, but he helped me out many years ago when I was looking for a particular sumo program to purchase). https://www.usasumo.com/about-us/ If you are hoping to talk to an English-speaking Japanese sumo wrestler, I would recommend trying to get in touch with Tobizaru (the Flying Monkey). There was a discussion about him recently on one of the threads and I had looked up and posted the address of his heya. He only speaks a little English but he's very eager to learn because he wants to get more foreign fans. He would be an ideal person to talk to. As you may know, he just got promoted to Makuuchi Division and he's doing very well during this current basho. The only way I know of to contact him is to write to him at his heya. I do know that Ishiura of Miyagino Beya speaks English but he seems kind of shy so I don't know if he would be interested. I met him in passing in 2014 at his heya but I had a taxi waiting so all I had time to say was, "Hi, Ishiura!!" He seemed stunned that I knew how to pronounce his name. He just stared at me but didn't say anything. His Facebook page indicates he went to a school in Australia and a friend of mine told me he speaks English. I don't know of any way to get in touch with him except by writing to Miyagino Beya. They moved a few years ago so you would need to make sure you write to the correct address. The last time I checked, he was not active on Facebook. Good luck with your new Youtube channel! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sumojoann 1,269 Posted September 21, 2020 On 02/09/2020 at 19:06, sumojoann said: If anyone wants to write to Tobizaru, here is his address --------- OITEKAZE BEYA TOBIZARU MASAYA 5-32-22 SEZAKI SOKA-SHI SAITAMA-KEN 340-0022 JAPAN If anyone has the tel # for the heya, maybe they could call & see if Tobizaru has an e-mail address. Let's let him know he has supporters outside of Japan. Well, a quick Google search gives that address, and a telephone number: +81 48-925-3700. On the ... er ... website, there is a different number, plus the ever-popular Fax number. oitekaze.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See above. I posted the address of Tobizaru's heya (Oitekaze Beya). Another person found the tel # of the heya. The heya has a website, oitekaze.com, but it's all in kanji. I would recommend that you ask someone who speaks Japanese to call the heya and ask if Tobizaru would be willing to speak to you. If you emphasize that you are a big fan and are an English-speaker, that will go a long way. He's looking for foreign fans. Where are you located? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sumojoann 1,269 Posted September 21, 2020 There was a thread from 2019 asking about bilingual or trilingual rikishi. It might interest you. http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/topic/39187-bilingualtrilingual-rikishi/?tab=comments#comment-397103 You could write down the names of those rikishi who are said to speak English, look them up to make sure they are still active, look up their heya address, and write to them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sumojoann 1,269 Posted September 21, 2020 I had mentioned Andrew Freund in a previous post. He's the Director of USA SUMO. He would be an interesting person to interview. He has a background in various martial arts and lived in Japan in the early '90s. When you view this link I'm sending you about Andrew, I suggest you scroll down to the bottom of the screen. There might be some information about press relations and their policies. He's very busy, especially when a competition or other event is taking place. They might want you to send an email with your questions or set up an appointment. https://www.usasumo.com/directors-bio/ Again, wishing you good luck! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmett Doyle 0 Posted September 21, 2020 Thank you everyone, you have all been very welcoming and very helpful, I think I will try to get in contact with Tobizaru, I've also been told about an Irish guy, John Gunner that is supposed to have quite an interesting story, would anyone know how to contact him? I've heard he left Ireland and went to Japan to compete in sumo and later went on to commentate in English. thanks again everyone for there help, as a sumo fan that struggles to grasp all the Japanese terminology etc if really like to promote the sport through my channel. If anyone wants to check it out there's a link below. Emmett https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtTXe3B47CaIfsNwnMDNHNw Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asojima 2,874 Posted September 21, 2020 13 minutes ago, Emmett Doyle said: I've also been told about an Irish guy, John Gunner that is supposed to have quite an interesting story, would anyone know how to contact him? I've heard he left Ireland and went to Japan to compete in sumo and later went on to commentate in English. John is a regular forum contributor. Don't be surprised if you hear from him shortly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmett Doyle 0 Posted September 21, 2020 Awesome, John would be perfect, I'm also Irish so should make a good interview, if he is open to it. Thanks again everyone for all your help Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shinobi Steve 146 Posted September 21, 2020 This article is a couple of years old, but it gives you John Gunning’s story. https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/the-roscommon-man-who-became-a-sumo-wrestler-in-japan-1.3717609?mode=amp If you manage to get an interview with a currently active wrestler, please follow up with a link to the podcast. I’m sure lots of people on the forum will want to listen. Well, lots of people will listen to anything about sumo so share whatever you come up with for your sumo episode please. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shinobi Steve 146 Posted September 23, 2020 You should try to reach out to Ichiro Young, formerly Wakaichiro. He’s an American who only left sumo last year. He never made it to the salaried ranks, but he might be easier for you to get in touch with. He lives in the US now and here is the link to his Twitter account: https://mobile.twitter.com/IchiroYoung_ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sumojoann 1,269 Posted September 23, 2020 4 hours ago, Shinobi Steve said: You should try to reach out to Ichiro Young, formerly Wakaichiro. He’s an American who only left sumo last year. He never made it to the salaried ranks, but he might be easier for you to get in touch with. He lives in the US now and here is the link to his Twitter account: https://mobile.twitter.com/IchiroYoung_ That's a great idea! The last I heard, he was going to be an apprentice in a Japanese restaurant in the Hamptons in New York. Here's a link to his retirement thread on SF --- http://www.sumoforum.net/forums/topic/39695-wakaichiro-has-retired/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
