Hello from Tokyo, Tachiai readers!
Following in the wake of our interview last year with John Gunning, we’re pleased to share that we’ll be speaking with another member of the NHK World sumo coverage team in the coming weeks. None other than play-by-play guru Murray Johnson will be meeting up with us to discuss a number of questions relating to the sport.
As with last year’s John Gunning feature, we’d like to open up the opportunity for Tachiai readers to send in some questions as well. This is another great opportunity to potentially have your questions answered by one of the leading names in sumo coverage and analysis!
Please be advised that we will ask questions as time and the parameters of the conversation permit, but we will endeavor to put as many interesting questions as possible to the esteemed announcer and pundit.
Leave your questions in the comment section below, and we will review them in the coming days before we speak to Murray!
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just wanted to send a big Aussie g’dday to Murray!
What are the constraints on the widening of an international following of Japanese sumo?
Are there any rules against steroid use in sumo?
John Gunning answers this question in depth on Reddit. It’s worth looking it up
It would have been worth more if you shared the link or at least what you remember of the answer.
No need to argue, here you go: https://www.reddit.com/r/Sumo/comments/bf0n61/drug_testing_in_sumo/
Thank you
True! Lack of skill with internet is the culprit….
Try this?
https://www.reddit.com/r/Sumo/comments/bf0n61/drug_testing_in_sumo/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app
Who will become the next Yokozuna?
Is there anything in particular in an up and coming wrestler that you see as a sign that they are someone who will end up being a mainstay at the top of the rankings in the future?
Have many qeustions, here we go:
1.What do you think would be the best way to make sumo even more popular around the world?
2. Do you think oshizumo (pushing style) or yotsuzumo (grappling style) suits a yokodzuna better? Which of the two styles do you prefer watching being performed on the dohyo?
3. Do you think that in the Reiwa era the rule for 1 gaijin per sumobeya will experience any change or at least be considered (to be made 2 daijin per sumobeya)
4. Do you think that jungyo exhausts the wrestlers and makes them fight not 100% in the follow-up tournament or does it make them with raised spirits coming from the support of the fans and it balances out?
5. Do you think we will see an European-born yokodzuna in the Reiwa era?
Thanks in advance for time and attention, keep up the great community, much respect from Bulgaria.
Enho what do you think of his chances
Who do you consider to be the most exciting prospect in sumo outside of the top 2 divisions?
A big g’day to Murray from me too, it’s great having a fellow Aussie as a sumo guru!
Does NHK have any plans in the near future to extend its regular “NHK live” coverage to include whole tournaments? Currently (in Australia at least) this is only provided through NHK premium on a separate satellite service. It could work as a pay per view service or something similar.
YES!!!!! I e-mailed NHK something along those lines. I would love if nothing else that they add Juryo highlights, and make the show a full hour. Or maybe a weekly highlight show from all lower divisions.
Similar to what some others have asked but different, what is the best possible outcome we outside of japan can hope for regarding live sumo coverage. Also, does sumo itself actually care what we outside of japan think?
Lastly, why did japan choose not to have sumo as demonstration for the olympics since they are hosting it? To me it points to a lack of Interest to Japanese sumo to achieve international attention.
Thank you sir for your attention
A demonstration sport I meant.
The IOC stopped the use of “demonstration sports” long ago. There haven’t been any since 1992 in Barcelona.
Not that Murray might not have another opinion (so I’m certainly not saying I won’t ask as it’s a great question) – but you may also be interested in John’s comments regarding a similar topic to the second part of your question, at the end of Part 1 of our feature from last year: https://tachiai.org/2018/01/29/a-tachiai-conversation-with-john-gunning-part-1/
Regarding injured rikishi, are NHK announcers prevented or discouraged about discussing
the extent of their injuries on air, or is it as difficult for you to find out real information as it is for the rest of us?
When a rikishi falls to lower divisions due to injury do they lose all privileges of their former rank? I’m thinking of Terunofuji. Does the former Ozeki now have to sweep the floors, prepare the meals, and do other tasks normally associated with his lowly rank?
I was thinking of the exact same question! And does the demoted wrestler have to leave their private room and sleep in the communal area? And wear low quality garb again?
Yes. He also has to live in the stable again; that’s part of why guys in lower Juryo are so desperate to stay on their side of the “Heaven/Hell” line.
Good day Murray!
What do you think of the YDC’s criticism and punishment of Hakuho for the handclap at the end of the winning-ceremony interview?
A year ago I was asking John Gunning what steps Takakeisho should be taking with his training to make ozeki, kind of hinting at the versatility issue. He said, more or less, no changes because it’s more about drive and experience — and here we are. He’s a smart guy.
https://tachiai.org/2018/02/27/there-are-no-guarantees-in-sumo-a-conversation-with-john-gunning-part-2/
Murray Johnson was the one who made the comment that directed my attention to Takakeisho and set me on the path to becoming a big Takakeisho fan. He noted that although Ura (remember him?) had some spectacular moves Takakeisho seemed to have his number. Wave action tsuppari is the perfect counter to Ura’s preferred low stance: they land on both shoulders and lever Ura’s center of mass upwards.
Questions, questions… does Murray think any of makuuchi’s current small men (Ishiura, Enho, and Terutsuyoshi) have the staying power of Mainoumi or are they likely to be elevator rikishi, always bouncing up from and down to juryo? With Ishiura we already have a bit of a track record…
What will sumo look like in the absence of Hakuho when he retires? Based on whatever Murray thinks is best, be that up and comers like Hoshoryu and Roga, or top division rikishi who are waiting to find that consistency Ichinojo, or just a general change in the atmosphere of the sport with such a dominant figure (who wasn’t always afraid to speak his mind) departing from sumo.
Everyone is taking Hakuho for granted because he is still active. When he retires, he will get the respect and credit that he deserves.
Well I hope so.