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First European Sumo Wrestler Wins Sumo Emperor's Cup
Bulgaria's Kotooshu became the first European to win a prestigious Emperor's Cup when he won the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Saturday.
The 25-year-old, who was promoted to the sport's second highest rank of "ozeki" in November 2005, barged out Mongolian Ama to boost his record to an unassailable 13-1 in Tokyo.
"I'm so happy," a beaming Kotooshu told Japan's NHK television after becoming the seventh foreigner to win an Emperor's Cup. "I'm speechless. I did it at last."
Kotooshu, whose real name is Kaloyan Stefanov Mahlyanov, could rise to the elite rank of "yokozuna" if he wins the next major event in Nagoya in July.
The popular Bulgarian's victory will give Japan's ancient sport a welcome shot in the arm following a series of scandals in recent months.
The arrest of a former gym chief on suspicion of assault following the death of a teenage wrestler sent shockwaves through the sport.
That affair came after Mongolian yokozuna Asashoryu was banned after being caught on TV playing soccer while supposedly injured, triggering outrage among the sumo establishment.
Sumo dates back some 2,000 years and still retains many Shinto religious overtones.
Modern professional sumo has more than 60 foreign-born wrestlers in Japan, drawn from countries ranging from South Korea to Brazil with many more from Eastern Europe.
Bulgaria's Kotooshu became the first European to win a prestigious Emperor's Cup when he won the Summer Grand Sumo Tournament on Satur... more -
Hakuho vs Asashoryu - the real Sumo fighting 8
Its on fire!
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Okinawa, Japan 11: Bullfighting - Okinawan Style / Togyu
In Okinawa, there is bullfighting, but there is no Matador. It involves two bulls battling head-to-head in a contest of strength.
Visit my travel video web site - StrayCompass.com and my own personal web site AgileH.com for more great videos. In Okinawa, there is bullfighting, but there is no Matador. It involves two bulls battling head-to-head in a contest of strength. ... more -
Sumo - More Than Just Big Guys in Thongs
"Sumo - quivering mounds of flesh set into sudden motion that is at once jarring and engaging. It?s the sport of gods, literally. However, it took me some time to appreciate sumo....I used to think there was no reason to go to Japan to see a sumo match when similar sport could be had by throwing a free bag of potato chips on the floor of the local Wal-Mart. How wrong I was."
This article goes with my recently uploaded pod on Sumo Falls: http://current.com/items/88824331_sumo_falls_a_compilat...
"Sumo - quivering mounds of flesh set into sudden motion that is at once jarring and engaging. It?s the sport of gods, literally. Howe... more -
Sumo Falls - A Compilation of Sumo Falls, Tumbles, and Throws
If you thought sumo a sport of slow moving fat guys in thongs engaged in an aggressive shoving match, guess again.
As any follower of Sumo knows, Sumo wrestlers are fast, strong, and agile. They also know how to take a fall real well. And they get tossed around a lot.
The following is a series of falls, tumbles, and throws from several tournaments: Sept '06, May '07, July '07 in Nagoya, and Sept '07. There's also scenes from an outdoor exhibition in April '07.
Music by Seven Cycle Theory:
http://www.myspace.com/sevencycletheory
CAREFUL! It's a bit loud! If you thought sumo a sport of slow moving fat guys in thongs engaged in an aggressive shoving match, guess again. ... more -
Samurai Dave's 2007 In Review
Another year has come and gone and in soppy melodramatic fashion, it's time to look back on all we've done and didn't do. Instead of focusing on love or lack there of or personal growth, I've look back through the magic of film and video on all the places and things I saw in 2007.
The following is a photo montage video of the travels, festivals, and events I experienced in 2007. It's a little too long for Current (8 and half minutes!) so I'm just posting my Youtube Link.
I've got photos of sumo, ninja, geisha, samurai, medieval Italian towns, German castles, a slew of Japanese festivals, and one good ole dog.
For more info on the photos, check my blog at:
http://samuraidave.wordpress.com/2008/01/02/samurai-dav...
Music by - Seven Cycle Theory:
http://www.myspace.com/sevencycletheory
The song is called "Only Once" which I think appropiate for life and traveling. You've only got one life - go somewhere and do something.
Another year has come and gone and in soppy melodramatic fashion, it's time to look back on all we've done and didn't do. Instead of f... more -
When a Sumo Champion Loses
This is just a thin slice of life in the world of Sumo. This pod shows how the audience responds to whenever a yokozuna - sumo champion - is beaten by a lower-ranking wrestler. It's also a bit of current news in the Sumo world as the fight depicted here helped to ensure a new Yokozuna would be chosen. This is just a thin slice of life in the world of Sumo. This pod shows how the audience responds to whenever a yokozuna - sumo champio... more
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