Mongolia

SUMOS: A New Short Film on Mongolian Sumo

Josh K Kyushu Basho 2018 , , , , , , ,

Acclaimed photographer Catherine Hyland has released an astonishing look at Sumo in Mongolia. In a project commissioned by WeTransfer’s WePresent arm, Hyland has released a stunning series of photographs and a short film, titled SUMOS: Rise of the Mongolians, providing insight into the world of the sport in Mongolia. Groundbreaking Mongolian rikishi Kyokushuzan, who now trains young wrestlers in Mongolia, makes an appearance in the film, which also features an interview with a recent Hakuho Cup winner who aspires to be like the tournament’s namesake someday.

Many of us around the world are of course aware of the presence and dominance of many rikishi (and Yokozuna, and yusho winners, and now stablemasters) from Mongolia, but I felt this short film was exceptionally interesting by presenting us with moving images from a country which is extraordinarily infrequently covered in the western media. Indeed, any conversation about Ichinojo will go to serve how the origin stories of Mongolian rikishi can be the stuff of legend.

The short film – SUMOS: Rise of the Mongolians – is embedded above. Click here to read a brief interview with Hyland about the project on WePresent, which includes some wonderful photos from the project.

In other news, this is apparently our 2000th post on the site, so thank you all for joining us!

Mongolian Economy Tanking

Andy Foreign Rikishi ,

The Mongolian economy is facing crisis. Its currency, the tugrik, has fallen against the dollar for 18 days straight. Given such a high Mongolian presence in sumo, and the fact that former Yokozuna Asashoryu is an active businessman in Mongolia, this will have an effect on the sport. For one thing, there will likely be less kenshokin and sponsorship money coming from Mongolian firms – and that will likely hit the top Mongolian wrestlers hardest. It may turn more Mongolians to the sport, not immediately but down the road, as unemployment increases. Apparently, rather than default on debts, public salaries and investment are on the chopping block.

It’s not a good situation but may be a sign of broader economic issues. The slide comes from Mongolia’s dependence on the Chinese and Russian markets in particular for commodities, like copper. Falling Chinese demand has brought lower global prices, hitting Mongolia hard. Landlocked, there aren’t easy routes to other external markets. Anyway, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Mongolian sumo feed gets cut.