Byamba

[mt fuji]

Feel free to move this to a more relevant thread, but Byamba’s website says that he has passed away.

https://www.sumobyamba.com/

I haven’t seen any other reports about this, but his personal website seems reputable. Very sad to hear.

[Kirinoumi]

Very sad news indeed. He was a great ambassador for sumo and only in his mid-30s. This is a big loss for the international sumo community. I imagine some on here may have known him personally as well. If so, my condolences. 

Edited March 1, 2020 by Kirinoumi

[Taikoubana]

This is such heartbreaking news. I remember first seeing him with his appearance on Whose Line Is It Anyway, and I saw him on many entertainment shows while watching Japanese variety TV growing up. Seemed like such a chill guy. Such a big man leaves such a big hole in life. May he watch over the dohyo and all who wrestle on it.

[sumojoann]

This is so sad to hear.  It's hard to believe .  He was such a vibrant personality.  RIP, Byamba.  The following was posted on his website.  (Mods --- I hope it's okay to post this.  Please remove if not).

>>> Breaking News: 4-time World Sumo Champion BYAMBA . . RIP <<<

Sumo Legend Byambajav Ulambayar passed away in a Los Angeles hospital on February 28, 2020, after a protracted illness. His presence is sorely missed by all his family, friends, and millions of fans around the world. He's been referred to as a Global Ambassador for Sumo, performing 1,000+ live sumo exhibitions, shows, competitions, TV appearances, film shoots, and much more. Many have called him the most prolific sumo entertainer in history.

In the next few days, we will be posting additional information about his passing, as well as how you can make a donation to his family. There will also be a blog for all of you to share your memories, stories, and more, about Byamba and the impact that he has made on your lives.

We Love You, Byamba (1984 - 2020).

SUMO BYAMBA TRIBUTE BLOG will be launching soon.

[Yamanashi]

In its astonishingly mysterious way, Wikipedia already has his death date, and has changed all the "is" to "was".

[Godango]

Very sad, the first flames of my sumo fandom were fanned by Byamba-featured YouTube videos.

He always came across as humble, like-able and of course extremely passionate about sumo. He's a great ambassador lost. Condolences to his friend and family, including those here who knew him.

I hope when/if someone finds the donation details someone shares the link here so that I may contribute. 

Forgive me if this isn't appropriate, but seems a good time to celebrate the mans work. I'm sure this isn't news to anyone here but this was one of my favourite cross-overs of all time - Conan O'Brien, Kevin Hart and Sumo (ft. Byamba and others): 

[sumojoann]

https://www.kcet.org/history-society/byambajav-ulambayar-how-a-mongolian-sumo-star-came-to-los-angeles

For those who might be interested, here is an old interview (from 2012) of Byamba about his experiences living in 3 very different countries during the course of his life --- Mongolia, Japan and the US (Los Angeles).

Edited March 2, 2020 by sumojoann

[sumojoann]

This is pretty silly but I couldn't help laughing.  Byamba was such a character.  Sure going to miss him........

 

[code_number3]

The first video I watched about chanko nabe

 

 

[Taikoubana]

I hope the pro sumo scene honors Byamba in some way.

[sumojoann]

https://tachiai.org/2020/03/02/byamba-rip/

Here is a very interesting article about Byamba on Tachiai.org.

[rhyen]

13 hours ago, Taikoubana said:

I hope the pro sumo scene honors Byamba in some way.

Nope, he already had his danpatsushiki ceremony and has no more connection to the ozumo after that.

some former sekitori like Asashoryu will tweet about it, but nothing from the Kyokai.

[code_number3]

8 hours ago, rhyen said:

but nothing from the Kyokai

He was not a sekitori, I don’t think NSK will have commemorative tweet or something (unless the non-sekitori guys were wakaimonogashira or sewanin, as they were NSK employee).

[Benevolance]

On 01/03/2020 at 12:49, Taikoubana said:

his appearance on Whose Line Is It Anyway

!! 

[Otokonoyama]

Legend Byamba deserves lot of credit for raising global profile of sumo

Quote

The sumo world lost a legend on Feb. 28 with the passing of Byambajav Ulambayaryn.

A former makushita division rikishi who left the professional game at age 20, Byamba, as he was commonly known, went on to become arguably the most high-profile sumo wrestler in the world...

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2020/03/05/sumo/legend-byamba-deserves-lot-credit-raising-global-profile-sumo/

 

[I am the Yokozuna]

Is it me or does John really make each of his articles for any, active or deceased, sumotori read like a hagiography?

[Yamanashi]

Can't it be both?

[ryafuji]

1 hour ago, I am the Yokozuna said:

Is it me or does John really make each of his articles for any, active or deceased, sumotori read like a hagiography?

I don't think that's true. I recall he was quite critical of the way Osunaarashi threw away his career.

[Otokonoyama]

1 hour ago, I am the Yokozuna said:

Is it me or does John really make each of his articles for any, active or deceased, sumotori read like a hagiography?

 

10 minutes ago, Yamanashi said:

Can't it be both?

 

1 minute ago, ryafuji said:

I don't think that's true. I recall he was quite critical of the way Osunaarashi threw away his career.

In my opinion, he has been extremely fair, both rallying for and against Kyokai practices. As he sees fit. What more can one expect from a journalist?

[I am the Yokozuna]

I am yet to read anything controversial or critical of anyone from him. Oosunaarashi was quite low-hanging fruit. His recent articles on sumotoris of the past reads like obituaries on NY Times at best. Comes here claims he knows something(Kinta kind of crossed him to back up on Harumafuji's role), then disappears, never says anything after that. I see him as the English-speaking PR guy of NSK. He is not a Mark Buckton. I hope his varied stories make it a good book. But who would be interested in 50 years to read about some long forgotten not so successful rikishi. 

[Tsuchinoninjin]

1 hour ago, I am the Yokozuna said:

He is not a Mark Buckton.

I am very thankful for that.

[I am the Yokozuna]

Indeed

[Chanko Thief]

Just heard of his passing 5 minutes ago, not sure how I missed this. Very sad to hear, he will be missed. Rip Byamba.