Sumo

**Peter Rehse** · 03-22-2005, 21:05

So yesterday I spent the day at the Spring Basho in Osaka City. A bit strange, the stuff that made me stand up and cheer got only murmers by others while at other times the reverse was true.

Surprisingly the smaller guys did very well. They seemed to be able to get under the big boys. I did get to see a ref blasted out of the ring and a huge (not fat - just tall and meaty) American blond guy totally destroyed by a relatively tiny opponent. You really did see differences in skill level especially as the day progressed. Last fight of the day was awsome - I really liked the ones that ended with throws rather than lifts and pushes.

**StanLee** · 03-23-2005, 02:23

Two to three years ago I went to the final day of the Nagoya basho.

Final three matches were the best!

Just loved it when the crowd, as a sign of appreciation, threw their lovely purple coloured seat/cushions towards the ring.

**fifthchamber** · 03-23-2005, 23:40

Hello Peter,
Good that you enjoyed it! Although when I watch it now I only find myself cheering for the small guys....Asashoryu (朝青龍）has kind of scared me into that...The guy is incredible.
I also have to admit that the Eastern European guys there are VERY good. I have watched with some cynicism as they fight...But they are good fighters and easily better than the majority of the guys they fight against...I was suprised to see that when I first arrived...
Yours.
Ben

**Peter Rehse** · 03-24-2005, 00:03

Eastern Europe? Maybe the big beefy guy I described was one of those. At one point I guessed Finnish but his expression of discontent as he walked off looked somewhat American. Really not sure.

There was one guy that definately was American - he also lost but a seriously good try. His attempt was very Judo-like but his opponent yanked him back in what us Aikido guys call ushiro-ate. One thing about this guy was that he was seriously ripped. All muscle. That was another thing that surprised me about the day - some of the lower level guys were definately not sumo-esque in their stature.

**fifthchamber** · 03-24-2005, 00:11

Hi Peter,
Yep...The guy you are talking about I think is the same guy I saw on the TV last night....And yeah...He DID look a touch vexed at the loss...I think his name may be 黒海　Kuroume...But I don't know for sure...I had guessed Bulgaria or close to there as the name could be Black Sea for a reason...But I don't know enough about him to tell for sure.
And the wrestlers that I have seen so far have been a good mix of muscle and fat...The western guys in particular are built like bricks and the even the bigger Asian wrestlers are not in any way "flabby".....Not if I was in the same country as them anyways...That would just be madne...Hold on....I...Am.....
Damn.....No where is safe..
Heh..

**fifthchamber** · 03-24-2005, 00:16

Aha!
His name is Kokkai and this website says that he is from Georgia...So close enough I guess..
http://sumo.goo.ne.jp/eng/ozumo_meik...ishi_2385.html
The other guy I like the look of IS from Bulgaria! Kotooshu (琴欧州）...Both good fighters though.　