NFL Stars come to Azumazeki and join the fun!

[Kintamayama 47,183]

Hi!

NFL star linebackers Shelton Quarles of the Buccaneers and Marvin Jones of the Jets, who are on a PR trip to Japan to promote the August 2nd Pre-Season NFL American Bowl slated to be held in Japan, visited Azumazeki-beya to watch asa-geiko. Then they donned mawashis, and went at it!! They did butsugari with Takamisakari, and Jones especially said he had a great time pushing and pulling, and even doing an occasional tsuri..He also said the mawashi felt "weird" and seemed to enjoy his "virgin" Sumo experience immensely.

Speaking of Takamisakari- he has asked his tsukebitos not to tell him who his first day opponent (Musoyama) is.( I hope he doesn't play ISP, or else the cat is out of the bag..) "When I know who I'm up against, I start thinking up these strategies, and can't fall asleep", he said.

This guy is something else..

Edited May 10, 2003 by Kintamayama

[Takanobaka 0]

You wouldn;t happen to know if there's a picture of this anywhere? I'm also a huge Bucs fan (raised in Tampa), and I think it would be hilarious to show some of my pals pictures of Shelton Quarles in a mawashi.....

Speaking of which, has anyone else seen the old NFL challenges where they used to do sumo? Definately approached things very differently than someone who was formally trained, but it was utterly hilarious to see them trying to do shiko....

And yeah, Robocop's a whackjob, but that's why we all love him!

[Kintamayama 47,183]

Here is the picture-Jones against Takamisakari with Quarles looking on..

http://www.sponichi.co.jp/others/kiji/2003...3/05/10/03.html

More details-it appears Akebono Oyakata was the one showing them around, and explaining the sumo basics to them.

Takamisakari had two bouts, one against each of them, won both by Yorikiri and "upheld the honour of the Sekitori". Buccaneers' LB Quarles said he would take him to Tampa right now. When told about this, a surprised Sakari said he will think about it after he retires..This is all true, as weird as it may seem..

Edited May 10, 2003 by Kintamayama

[Rijicho 6]

Merged and moved.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

Cool story and pics -- thanks Kintamayama-zeki ;-)

I would think NFL players would have strong oshi-dashi, yorikiri style sumo. They practice with the tackling dummies and blocking sleds since they are little kids:

See example

[Takanobaka 0]

In the old NFL challenges, that really wasn't the case. A great part of the reason is, due to fear of injury, their tachiai were very tentative. Actually, more than tentative...they really just walked up to one another and grabbed the Mawashi. One of them I really remember was Kevin Greene against Bill Mazeroski...Greene actually ended up winning the match by something uncommon....sort of a reverse sotogake...almost like a judo move, where he flipped Maz over by tripping him up and twisting his arm into a full flip (and just barely missing hitting his own knee before Maz's stomach hit the ground). Not something you see everyday, but I guess you'd exepct something original when two guys who have never wrestled before go at it.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

Greene actually ended up winning the match by something uncommon....sort of a reverse sotogake...almost like a judo move, where he flipped Maz over by tripping him up and twisting his arm into a full flip

Did anyone give the kimarite for this??? (Yawning...) (Poking the other guy...)

[Dejimasama 0]

I am sure they had a blast. Thanks for the great story. Does anyone remeber what NFL team Waka tried out for?

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Does anyone remeber what NFL team Waka tried out for?

There were few, viz. Arizona Rattlers, Atlanta Falcons, Onward Skylarks, possibly more. I believe only Falcons of those is an NFL team, though.

[Yoavoshimaru 0]

There were few, viz. Arizona Rattlers, Atlanta Falcons, Onward Skylarks, possibly more. I believe only Falcons of those is an NFL team, though.

Your belief is right... There are several other, less well-known american football leagues. The Falcons are in the NFL though. Which "Waka" tried out and when?

[Kotoseiya Yuichi 3]

Which "Waka" tried out and when?

Yokozuna Wakanohana III Masaru of Futagoyama-beya a year or two ago. Google him! (In a state of confusion...)