sumojoann

I don't know f this is legible --- maybe with a magnifying glass! Cal, do you remember being interviewed for this article?

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1402612712769&set=ms.c.eJw1zsENREEIAtCONoIiY~%3B~_NbSZ~%3BPL4oIirYwTAV~_cMng8I8ZSdVXI0oxVPlUI3VzfXm~_pjNvXkGbNfTWOzRJ4RAo1YDmit00tsOaujulUFvH~_6fnt1MDz27WRIPtq~%3BaPDhPvrOJP2O4NOI~-.bps.a.1402601392486&type=3&theater ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- This is a funny story. It couldn't be displayed due to a Facebook error, but you can click on the link to read it.

When was this picture taken?

That looks like you when you won the Yusho (second from the left as you're facing the picture).

Was this during your 9-man playoff?

Good picture.

I bet this brings back memories!

Great picture!

This is an interesting picture.

Cal, can you comment on this picture?

Cal, I sent you a private message with a link to the Facebook page that has the photos and newspaper clippings. I don't know if it's your Facebook page or your nephew's or someone else's so I didn't want to post it publicly.

(This is a quote from a 1986 Sumo World article)..............Second, article-after-article calls John Tenta the “first ever white sumo wrestler.” Personally, I think this is problematic because there are often questionable connotations regarding who is considered “white”; however, I thought it was interesting that this prior issue of Sumo World directly stated that, “Cal Martin was the first Caucasian to enter sumo”, and, “Kototenta [John Tenta] – the third Caucasian to enter sumo”. The above is from northamericansumo.com. The quote was taken from a Sumo World article published in 1986.

Yamanashi, I finally got the video to work and I posted it above. (I deleted my first post). It's really strange. If you do a search on Youtube and try to watch it from there, you get the error message. However, when I did a general Google search (NOT on Youtube) for "Cal Martin sumo wrestler", I found a link to that same video and clicked on it. It took me to Youtube and the video worked!! Find my post above with the link to the video & click on it. It should work. (NO SOUND, THOUGH).

Here is an old photo of Cal Martin from 1971. He was quoted as saying that sumo was "..... like playing football in the Nude". https://outlet.historicimages.com/products/rsb73943

This time I WAS able to watch it, although it had no sound.

I found these on Facebook!!! (NOTE:) NOTHING HAPPENS WHEN I CLICK ON "+15" ON THE LAST PICTURE SO I HAVE POSTED THE ACTUAL LINK WHICH SHOWS ALL OF THE PICTURES. **** CLICK ON ANY PICTURE (OR NEWSPAPER CLIPPING) TO SEE IT ENLARGED **** IF YOU WANT TO SCROLL THROUGH THEM, CLICK ON THE FIRST PICTURE. YOU WILL SEE AN ARROW ON THE CENTER RIGHT SIDE. CLICK ON THE ARROW TO ADVANCE TO THE NEXT PICTURE. https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=ms.c.eJw1zsENREEIAtCONoIiY~%3B~_NbSZ~%3BPL4oIirYwTAV~_cMng8I8ZSdVXI0oxVPlUI3VzfXm~_pjNvXkGbNfTWOzRJ4RAo1YDmit00tsOaujulUFvH~_6fnt1MDz27WRIPtq~%3BaPDhPvrOJP2O4NOI~-.bps.a.1402601392486&type=1

We love your stories, Cal!! I hope you will keep them coming. Can you tell us about how you became good friends with the Yakuza?

SUMO UK Ltd, manufacturer of drilling and cultivation machinery. This is a quote from their advertising --- "Sumo is a name rich in tradition and synonymous with strength and power. Our machines are built to this same mantra". https://aea.uk.com/directory/sumo-uk-ltd/

WELCOME TO SUMO COUNTRY!!!! https://sumoparts.com/

Also on Amazon, 5-star Sumo Socks!!! They are really comfy! (I know this doesn't pertain directly to using sumo in advertising products, but they're so cute I couldn't resist). https://smile.amazon.com/Hot-Sox-Sports-Novelty-Wrestlers/dp/B07NH2XXWZ/ref=sxts_sxwds-bia-wc-drs-ajax2_0?cv_ct_cx=sumo&dchild=1&keywords=sumo&pd_rd_i=B07NH2XXWZ&pd_rd_r=c4e6d443-b163-441a-8673-663a110cf7dc&pd_rd_w=m243f&pd_rd_wg=YClMd&pf_rd_p=2af54486-024b-43c2-a014-77f8e1ab2526&pf_rd_r=0QS76NF0XD4BK35HD3Y5&psc=1&qid=1602442184&sr=1-2-25b07e09-600a-4f0d-816e-b06387f8bcf1

I know I'm being optimistic (probably overly optimistic) but I think he will win one & not go intai. I don't know when he last won a bout (isn't he 3-200?) but I think it would round out 2020 for him nicely if he could win one in Nov. The guy has got to be training extra hard!

Bugman, here is my favorite Enho video and I think you might like it, too. It's from Jan of this year, when Enho got his 4th kachi-koshi in a row. THIS is the video I use to try to recruit new sumo fans, which I find very difficult to do here in Texas. It's worked twice now!!! ***** WATCH VIDEO FIRST BEFORE READING MY FURTHER COMMENTS! ***** The highlights are 1) incredible shitatenage underarm throw --- poor Takarafuji!; 2) this time, poor Enho --- he tried to fight Tochinoshin head-on and got a tsuridashi lift out in return!; 3) Fantastic long back-and-forth bout with Endo ending with Enho pushing Endo out (oshidashi)!; 4) Amazing battle with Takayasu with another stunning shitatenage underarm throw!; 5) Unbelievable Ashitori leg pick --- Abi didn't know what hit him!; 6) poor Meisei --- Enho grabbed his seriously injured arm and executed a strong shitatedashinage pulling underarm throw!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaiketsu_Masateru Unfortunately, I see that your friend Kaiketsu passed away in 2014. I'm sorry. He certainly had an interesting career. True friends are few and far between. You were lucky to have each other.

You've had a very interesting life! Do you have any photos from your sumo years that you would like to post? Why was there a bounty on your head? Was it because of your relationship with the Yakuza? What happened with your draft notice? That would've been during 'Nam. It's a good thing you survived gangrene and blood poisoning! What happened to cause that? Are you still in contact with Kaiketsu? I'm only a year older than you but I didn't become enthralled by sumo until 2013, so Wajima was way before my time. What didn't you like about him and why did your boss regret recruiting him? Any stories about corruption and fight fixing would always be interesting and I think we would all love to hear more about that, as long as it wouldn't endanger you to talk about such things. I hope you will post a lot of your stories. After all, you had the inside scoop!

Hi Bugman, I remember your posts, too! We are all glad to have you back. I'm sorry to hear of your health problems. I have health problems, too, that limit my mobility, so I try to focus on the fact that I still have my mind (you sound like you still have yours too!!). As long as we have our minds, we can find joy in living. Sumo is one of the things that brings joy to my life. One can never run out of things to learn. There are always new rikishi rising through the ranks and watching them succeed gives such pleasure. In your case, rediscovering old favorites like Chiyonofuji is wonderful, isn't it? Chiyonofuji is one of my favorites, too, even though he was before my time. I have been on Sumo Forum since Jan 2014. Have you had a chance to watch any Enho Youtube videos? He is only about 99kg and is absolutely amazing to watch!! He got his kachi-koshi 4 basho in a row and only recently has had some problems getting enough wins. There are several Youtube videos put out by someone named "Monkey Fist" that I have especially enjoyed watching. You might enjoy them, too! Here is one from July of this year, although I guess I could have picked a better one since he was make-koshi in this basho. "Monkey Fist" also has Enho videos from July, Sept & Nov 2019, and Jan, Mar and Sept of this year.