John Gunning 3,645 Posted August 27, 2024 (edited) English schoolboy Nicholas Tarasenko may just be two months past his 15th birthday but he is already training in Minato Stable with the aim of becoming a professional sumo wrestler upon completion of compulsory education next summer. At 187 cm and 108 kgs the Hull native already has the size needed to compete in ozumo and is still growing. Edited August 27, 2024 by John Gunning 8 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RabidJohn 1,817 Posted August 27, 2024 Good to see he's not going into it blind. We Brits don't have the best track record in ozumo, so I hope he can turn that around. If nothing else I'd love to hear what Japanese sounds like with a Hull accent*, so a makuuchi KK would be great. *I worked most of my life for a family from Hull. It's one of the funniest English accents around. I assume there's an interview coming, John. Have fun transcribing the words of someone who curls herm on his murbahl fern! 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Fat Cyclist 31 Posted August 27, 2024 14 minutes ago, RabidJohn said: Good to see he's not going into it blind. We Brits don't have the best track record in ozumo, so I hope he can turn that around. If nothing else I'd love to hear what Japanese sounds like with a Hull accent*, so a makuuchi KK would be great. *I worked most of my life for a family from Hull. It's one of the funniest English accents around. I assume there's an interview coming, John. Have fun transcribing the words of someone who curls herm on his murbahl fern! I was a little worried for him too but he doesnt look out of place & certainly has the build for sumo. As a southerner it took me far too long to parse that last sentence :) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Asashosakari 19,500 Posted August 27, 2024 7 hours ago, John Gunning said: English schoolboy Nicholas Tarasenko may just be two months past his 15th birthday but he is already training in Minato Stable with the aim of becoming a professional sumo wrestler upon completion of compulsory education next summer. At 187 cm and 108 kgs the Hull native already has the size needed to compete in ozumo and is still growing. Do you happen to know if the time he's spending in the heya now is already going to count towards his required kenshu prep period, or is that going to start next summer? I was assuming the latter until now, but seeing him take part in full-fledged practice (and not in a white mawashi typical of guests)... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
aderechelsea 125 Posted August 27, 2024 "curls herm on his murbahl fern!" I need to give this a go as a non-native that speaks the language. "Calls home on his mobile phone"???? 3 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Gunning 3,645 Posted August 27, 2024 6 hours ago, Asashosakari said: Do you happen to know if the time he's spending in the heya now is already going to count towards his required kenshu prep period, or is that going to start next summer? I was assuming the latter until now, but seeing him take part in full-fledged practice (and not in a white mawashi typical of guests)... Just an assumption but I wouldn't think so. The academic calendars are different but as far as I know he'll still be regarded as a junior high school student until he finishes up in June next year - whether that's in England or Japan. 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
John Gunning 3,645 Posted August 28, 2024 My piece on him today. This English schoolboy has big dreams of becoming yokozuna — and more 7 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,874 Posted August 28, 2024 8 hours ago, John Gunning said: My piece on him today. This English schoolboy has big dreams of becoming yokozuna — and more What a fascinating story, John! 1) His body looks a little more Kotooshu than Baruto, but as long as there's strength with the height he should be fine. 2) He should be taking intensive language training to make the transition less painful (socially). 3) With Ichinojo gone, the heya has nobody with more than mid-Makushita credentials. This could be good or bad. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Leoben 145 Posted August 28, 2024 Great article, I'll be keeping an eye on him for sure. He's got great physical tools and 10 years of judo + 5 years of rugby experience are a really solid background to bring into sumo. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benevolance 2,501 Posted August 29, 2024 Bah. He needs, what, three words for sumo? He's got to recognize hakkeyoi, matamatamata, and be able to mumble gambarimasu. BAM! Japanese covered. I think he'll do great. In fact, I'm already putting some wheels on the ol' ozeki bandwagon. 1 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gurowake 4,088 Posted August 29, 2024 From those pictures it doesn't seem like he's really all that big....until you realize he's only 15. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Katooshu 3,265 Posted August 29, 2024 (edited) I've seen all sorts of numbers for him - 193cm/190cm/187cm. The shortest of those seems the most accurate, which is still very tall for his age. At the recent middle school national championships, which are mostly 2nd and 3rd years, a 183cm competitor looked like a giant compared to his opponents. Edited August 29, 2024 by Katooshu Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tsuchinoninjin 1,275 Posted August 29, 2024 Hopefully he takes all the rules and restrictions seriously Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Hoshotakamoto 259 Posted August 30, 2024 8 hours ago, Gurowake said: From those pictures it doesn't seem like he's really all that big....until you realize he's only 15. I was scrolling facebook earlier in the week, saw him next to Terunofuji, and became very confused. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites