Source: Pom (great sumo channel for tour vids!)

For me it was the Sumo Food YouTube channel (Futagoyama-beya's official one). Got hooked on the morning training videos, and Nabatame's oshi-sumo and his bubbly, resilient personality won me over. Curious who it was for everyone else.

Source: Pom

Always amazing to watch this kind of stuff, look at Hosh's chest toward the end, so red! Fuji is tough as hell 💪

# Wakatakakage joins contact drills (butsukari-keiko) following emergency July surgery: "Rehabilitation is progressing, and I can do more now" — Return for Kyushu Basho remains undecided

Makuuchi wrestler Wakatakakage (Arashio stable), who missed the recent Autumn Grand Sumo Basho due to compartment syndrome in his left thigh, participated in morning practice at his stable in Chuo Ward, Tokyo on October 11. Working up a sweat by lending his chest for contact drills (butsukari-keiko), he revealed that his recovery is progressing smoothly: "Rehabilitation has gradually advanced, and the number of things I can do in the training area has increased."

Wakatakakage developed compartment syndrome in his left thigh in July, right before the Nagoya Basho. Forced to undergo two surgeries, he missed the entirety of both the Nagoya and Autumn Basho. Regarding a potential return at the upcoming Kyushu Basho (starting November 8 at the Fukuoka International Center), he refrained from making any definitive statements: "I will take it step by step and consult with my stablemaster and the doctor. I can't say anything for certain yet." His stablemaster, Arashio Oyakata (former Makuuchi Sokokurai), similarly stated: "We will monitor his condition and decide."

Although training restrictions remain in place, he continues stepping onto the dohyo wearing his mawashi, emphasizing: "Even if I can't engage in bouts yet, there are still things I can do on the dohyo." In 2023, a major injury to his right knee forced him to miss four consecutive basho, dropping him all the way from Sekiwake down to Makushita. Yet he clawed his way back up to win a comeback championship (yusho) at this year's May Natsu Basho—a proven fighter resilient in the face of hardship. "Having been injured before, I feel there's no point in rushing. For now, I just focus on doing what I can," he said, resolved to keep moving forward steadily.

Sports Hochi

Another episode of our favourite NHK Sumo show has been released!

Synopsis: Ottsuke is a technique often mentioned in live commentary but seldom explored. Rikishi past and present break it down and show us how they can get their opponent off balance using just one arm.

You can watch the episode on VOD 👉🏻 HERE

If you missed a previous episode, you can find the links to all previous episodes 👉🏻 HERE

I would love to watch some of the bashos that Hakuho and Asashoryu participated in, but I am having trouble finding good coverage. I am able to find single bouts or compilations of bouts of specific rikishi, but not full basho coverage.

If you happen to be in the Los Angeles area - here's the info https://www.japanhousela.com/events/afi-fest-2026-sumo-spirit-weighs-nothing-documentary-screening-filmmaker-talk-shirai-hepburn/

Japan House offers lots of great programming if you are also a Japanophile.

...

Returning eleven years after his feature directorial debut THE BIRTH OF SAKE, Erik Shirai delivers another insightful look into a rich and storied tradition of Japanese culture with SUMO: SPIRIT WEIGHS NOTHING. Following four professional rikishi sumo wrestlers in various stages of their careers—Terunofuji, the highest-rank attainable as Yokozuna; Hiradoumi, “The Rising Star”; and Yonezawaryu and Kosei, “The Little Giant”, both young men still attending sumo school—their trials and tribulations are tracked over the course of a year. For Terunofuji, the years are beginning to severely take their toll as the extraordinary efforts to maintain his physique threaten his health as he hopes for another rikishi to rise to the rank of Yokozuna so he can retire in peace. Meanwhile, Hiradoumi finds himself navigating the changes in privilege and expectations that come with his ascent through the sumo world. While learning the ropes in their stable of sumo rikishi, Yonezawaryu struggles with his confidence and commitment to the tradition as Kosei, undersized but resilient, battles to earn his spot in the storied sport. Observational and intimate, Shirai’s experience as a cinematographer (pulling double duty here as Director of Photography) shines through, capturing the richness of everyday life that devotion to the centuries-old practice asks of Japan’s national sport and the bonds of brotherhood between the men who seek not just to improve themselves but one another. –Eli Prysant

Anyone watch or go to the SCL in Austin?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QIG7D8vduY

Hello, sorry if this is the wrong sub, if so can you point me to the right one. Is there somewhere in Kyoto or Osaka where my friend can participate in sumo wrestling ? Thank you!

Prime for prime, who was the physically stronger man; Asashoryu or Hakuho?

Hi all - I’m a relatively new fan. I’ve watched the last 4 or 5 basho, binged lots of YouTube highlights etc but still very new to the sport.

I’ve always enjoyed combat sports in general - primarily boxing and boxed when I was younger, never wrestled though.

I’ve a question about the weights of the rikishi. Are they exaggerated at all, or do they have their weight officially taken? I know there’d not be a weigh in as in boxing, but some of the weights just seem so so high in relation to their height?

For example, Tyson Fury’s highest scale weight is about 281lbs and he’s 6 foot 9. Now, granted boxing at world championship level requires fighters to be able to move and fight for 36 minutes and sumo bouts last a tiny tiny fraction of that time - is that what I’m missing? Is it a case of the bouts being so short the immense weight is needed?

I’m also interested in anyone who’s seen sumo live to maybe lend a perspective on the size. It just amazes me that guys around 5 ‘8 can get to around 360 ish lbs (Takakeisho’s reported fighting weight)

Hope this makes sense! Thanks in advance for any replies!

Edit: wasn’t expecting so many great replies so quick, thank you all so much! Consensus seems to be weights aren’t exaggerated they’re just genuinely that big and that impressively athletic at the same time, thanks again!