Thanks to the kind folks at sumoforum.net, Tachiai has been able to create a graphical chart showing all of the competitors and rounds of this past weekend’s 41st single day sumo tournament.
Some interesting notes from the event, Harumafuji, Goeido and Tochinoshin were absent. As stated earlier, there is some worry that these three have sustained serious injuries. Of course, as we all know, Kisenosato won and looked fairly good doing it. There was some great effort put fort by Gagamaru, Shohozan, Takanoiwa and Tochiozan.
This is a fun / for charity event that does not effect standings, and many of the rikishi are not putting in an overwhelming effort, in part because no one wants to get hurt during this tournament.
For a more detailed PDF, click on the image above or you can find it here.
Techi Ai, why don’t you host the site on your own domain and hosting? You can have more freedom. I can help you if necessary
So, there are really two of us who write for this blog. A guy named Bruce and a guy named Andy. Andy started it years before he invited me to join, and he started it using a free site on wordpress.com.
Yes, we could in fact move the blog over to its own hosted site, and then we would have a lot of freedom to do other things with the technical aspects of the blog. I specifically would love to do a list of videos from Jason or Kintamayama on one of the side bars, but that won’t work in our current arrangement. However – if we had a wide open, privately hosted WordPress, it would require one or both of us to devote some time to housekeeping of the system. That is time that would be subtracted from sumo. As it is, we both have to push to find time to write, and taking away 20% of that to futz with blog software might actually kill tachiai.
I have set up and run a few privately hosted wordpress sites before. It’s not tough, but it does take time.
That being said, we may do it at some point. The amount of traffic we receive from people seeking sumo information seems to be growing, and it might make sense at some point if the trend continues.
Kotoshogiku lost to Gagamaru.
Yeah, I noted that too! I tried to chalk it up to Kotoshogiku not wanting to further complicate his injuries in a “fun” tournament. But I worry that the relic of Kotoshogiku is still attempting to engage in sumo.
Like Jimmy, I can help with any suggestions with web designing (I also do other kinds of art). Other than that, I feel you guys…Andy and Bruce H…are doing a TREMENDOUS job! Over the years, I have read sumo commentary from different popular sites, and they all bring something “unique” to the table, however I’m starting to take a real shine to yours. Navigation, layout, wording, sumo interests, etc…are so dead-on! As a web designer, I like simplicity: it goes a long way! You guys are not trying (in my humble opinion) to do “too much”. What’s the old saying?…”Keep it simple, stupid”…and I’m believe me, I’m not saying that adage to be mean…I’m really digging how you guys have thought this out. Please don’t muck with a winning formula…you have the right kind of balance going on. Thanks for allowing me my say!
Thanks much Barry, it’s very kind for you to 1) read our shameless fan site 2) say that we are actually readable. I agree that putting what time we have into sumo commentary and news is the right priority. In the last 6 months, readership of the site has climbed nicely. We now get to have occasional visits from folks in Japan and Mongolia as well. I would like to think / imagine that some of the English language commentators on NHK check us out during the basho to see “what the Americans are talking about”.
We may try some kind of audio or video commentary leading up the Haru basho in March, but we have to get the mechanics in place first.
Andy and I both believe that Sumo has a huge potential to be a global sport. The concept and execution are both compelling, and it would be another fantastic cultural export for Japan.
A few months ago i have an idea to put up a website to archive nicely all sumo videos in youtube, including famous ones like jason, kinta, robert, etc. So that it is easier and searchable too. But i thought i need help outside of videos.
If you put up a self hosted site, i can help. I can even do custom code to do stuff if needed. Im a developer btw.
Btw this is jimmy from above, just using my phone not my desktop. We can join forces, and you keep all admin rights cuz u guys r awesome
Btw would it be fun if jason has a panel in commentary? Like in other sports where hosts talk to other. Providing good conversation dynamics
Yeah, I think if Andy and I can get ourselves into a habit of some sumo discussion via podcast or video, it will be easier to get Jason or Kinta involved. At the moment we are just two random guys who are sumo fans, so until we can prove that we can contribute they way they do, there is no reason to take any propositions we might make seriously.
But both he and I have lives and families, so like with tricking out the web site / platform – it would likely take a way from sumo commentary via the blog. But in periods like this between basho, there is not much to write about at times.
Btw the reason i wish self domain is its easier to promote, do seo and stuff. Then migjht be faster to spread sumo love to the world
Yep, well – the future option to do this remains open. I think sumo is about to take an uptick in global popularity, and a site like tachiai helps english speaking fans follow the sport better. That being said there are many things the Nippon Sumo Kyokai and NHK could to to make it easier for global fans to enjoy sumo.
But for a variety of practical and cultural reasons, Sumo is a Japanese sport produced for a Japanese audience in Japan. At least today.
More power to Tachi Ai