Sumo commentator, sports photographer and friend of Tachiai John Gunning has put together another excellent piece for The Japan Times. This article explores keiko; the intense, exhausting and repetitive regimen of sumo training.
A choice section of the article:
After each group has finished their bouts, they do a pushing practice with another wrestler acting as deadweight. This is known as butsukari-geiko and is the toughest part of training.
Already exhausted, you can be forced to push someone over and back until you collapse. This is called kawaigari — literally tender loving care — and even the name alone is enough to send chills down a wrestler’s spine.
Yokozuna Harumafuji once compared it to the verge of death, and having been on the receiving end I fully agree.
As always, head to The Japan Times and read the whole thing.
Gunning has done Sumo for ten years! Wow
The attitude toward injuries and recovery is….unhelpful.
Another stellar piece from John – thanks for the tip off here Bruce!
Arm…broke…lengthwise…three ways… ARM…BROKE…LENGTHWISE…THREE…WAYS… (AG nopes right outta the thread)
+1
Reminiscence — a little workout with a lot of breathing: Asashoryu & Harumafuji
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=juEVyJvi7g
And Harumafuji’s topknot date set (as of May, 2018):
https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20180515/p2g/00m/0sp/077000c
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/05/15/sumo/former-yokozuna-harumafujis-retirement-ceremony-set-september/