politics

Trump attends sumo; gives President's Cup to winner Asanoyama

57 Comments
By Darlene Superville and Jill Corvin

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57 Comments
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Why are we treating Trump like royalty? oh wait...

6 ( +17 / -11 )

I’m no fan of Trump and continue to feel he is not fit to hold the office of President but I have to confess that as a long term expatriated American living in Japan I found this to be pretty cool. Set the politics aside for a very short time and enjoy the moment. There will be plenty to criticize or bitch about tomorrow and in the days to come.

10 ( +25 / -15 )

Well he is a President.

10 ( +20 / -10 )

Beautiful images! Thank you Trump for watching the ancient sport of Sumo. The publicity around the world and tourism benefits for Sumo and Japan will be endless. Even when he gets the promotion to Yokozuna, Asanoyama will never have a bigger highlight in his career than receiving the Trump Cup off Trump.

5 ( +26 / -21 )

Very nice. That President's Trophy is gorgeous.

I’m no fan of Trump and continue to feel he is not fit to hold the office of President

You'll eventually see the light.

but I have to confess that as a long term expatriated American living in Japan I found this to be pretty cool. Set the politics aside for a very short time and enjoy the moment.

Making progress already!

There will be plenty to criticize or bitch about tomorrow and in the days to come.

There sure will be - the Democrats aren't going away soon, lol.

-20 ( +11 / -31 )

The inscription includes a pair of presidential seals and reads: "Presented by Donald J. Trump, President of the United States of America, to the Sumo Grand Champion, Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament, May 26, 2019."

Trump read "May 26, Reiwa One" to the delight of the crowd.

-4 ( +10 / -14 )

This is fantastic diplomacy. Very positive and hilarious photos. Looking forward to the memes.

6 ( +14 / -8 )

The Japanese at least have the dignity to act with grace and class. It will be remembered, and Japan will get a good deal from the T man. Well done everyone. It’s just smart.

All the haters, carry on doing your thing. Knock yourselves out.

Congratulations to Asanoyama too.

3 ( +17 / -14 )

Did he take his shoes off before entering the ring?

Moderator: He wore slippers.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Gotta 'admire' or at least respect J crowds; so well-behaved and gracious. Anywhere else in the world Trump would have been booed. Ditto Abe i.e most pm/presidents get booed when they attend a footy game on home turf.

Thought the whole thing went well and that DT/Melania certainly enjoyed the occasion.

8 ( +16 / -8 )

Why could he not sit in the usual royalty seats instead of causing all this fuss over his precious self? Chairs are upstairs. Guess it is his ego in play again. I just found his visit disruptive. Agree with Zichi!

-2 ( +12 / -14 )

I don’t much much like the style of that kind of trophy but the size alone makes it impressive looking and I’m sure Asanoyama will be pleased to have it.

5 ( +10 / -5 )

DT was wearing some sort of fancy slippers, and even had a little platform made so he could manage the step over the tawara ring. I was shocked that he wore slippers...disgusting.

-11 ( +5 / -16 )

What happens to the Presidents trophy?

-1 ( +3 / -4 )

What, you'd expect him to go barefoot? It's normal to wear slippers for those who are presenting awards in the ring.

11 ( +13 / -2 )

Gotta 'admire' or at least respect J crowds; so well-behaved and gracious. Anywhere else in the world Trump would have been booed.

For good reason. Perhaps the Japanese need to be a little more honest like those foreign crowds.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

I still remember David Jones from Pan American Airways awarding the Pan American trophy years ago.

ヒョー・ショー・ジョウ!

The President's Cup will be awarded every summer tournament.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

. Even when he gets the promotion to Yokozuna, Asanoyama will never have a bigger highlight in his career than receiving the Trump Cup off Trump.

How can anyone say this with a straight face?

2 ( +13 / -11 )

I am very glad nothing happened to Trump when he was at the Sumo Arena. Thank you for polices of more than 20,000 mobilized from all over Japan and worked hard under the heat. According to NHK, 1,000 seats were sacrificed for this event. I wonder who are paying for that.

-3 ( +9 / -12 )

President Trump puts supreme importance on personal relationships for deal making and Abe, to his credit, appears to understand this better than most other national leaders.

2 ( +13 / -11 )

Gotta 'admire' or at least respect J crowds; so well-behaved and gracious. Anywhere else in the world Trump would have been booed.

He should've been booed. He's a disgrace. Celebrating this moron's presence is a degradation of democracy, culture, and humanity. Putting aside your moral principles because you want to post a photo on Instagram is pathetic. You think the Japanese actually like this idiot?

Boo!

3 ( +18 / -15 )

I also am impressed that Trump looks so genki after a long international flight

Flying on Air Force One helps - plenty of legroom, elbow room, and the food is good too, lol.

He should've been booed.

Good grief, plasticmonkey, you would boo him if he cured cancer.

You think the Japanese actually like this idiot?

You just can't stand the fact that no one was booing him. Grow up.

6 ( +16 / -10 )

 Even when he gets the promotion to Yokozuna, Asanoyama will never have a bigger highlight in his career than receiving the Trump Cup off Trump.

How can anyone say this with a straight face?

Not too many people get the President's Trophy directly from the President of the United States. Asanoyama said he was very happy to receive it.

1 ( +10 / -9 )

Even when he gets the promotion to Yokozuna, Asanoyama will never have a bigger highlight in his career than receiving the Trump Cup off Trump.

How can anyone say this with a straight face?

Ha ha ha...da yo me.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

He should've been booed. He's a disgrace.

Look, am no Trump supporter; i just think there is a time and place for everything. Today was about sumo and Asanoyama, not DT/Abe. Ppl come to sumo to enjoy the event and not to hijack/politicise it. J ppl and others are more than welcome to protest about Trump before/after the tourney, tmrw in Tokyo etc.

Pretty sure Asanoyama - who was obviously understandably nervous- wanted it to go down this way.

7 ( +11 / -4 )

Trump, who is the first sitting American president to attend a sumo tournament, read a certificate awarding Asanoyama the cup in honor of his "outstanding achievement."

He is as a POTUS. but Japan has been always offering the best hospitality by inviting foreign VIPS to Sumo , dating back to Edo-era. Commodore Perry was surprised watching three American marines could not move a Sumo wrestler for a inch. He then gave up invading Japan and ended up with concluding Convention of Peace and Amity between the United States of America and the Empire of Japan, being surrounded by 30 Sumo wrestlers.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

This was a complete disgrace for Japan and Abe looked like a smiling idiot as Trump fell asleep. The ridiculous security presence and the fact that it was all about Trump instead of a serious sports event defiled tradition.

The Sumo society came to the rescue of Japan's honour by arranging things so that everything was decided yesterday. Both Goeido and Kakuryu took one for the team by losing yesterday, so that Asanoyama could win.

Earlier in the tournament the referees wrongly gave a win to Asanoyama against Tochinoshin to ensure that the former (Japanese) unknown wrestler won the tournament.

Today was an exhibition match.

-1 ( +9 / -10 )

Wow... so they'd rather let a person die than a female doctor step in the ring to help, but they'll allow the President of the US, a man absolutely tainted in scandal, and whom their right-wing leader bows down to lower than he does the Emperor, step in the ring put seal on a traditional trophy and pass it over to steal the stage?

Probably a fure purists who don't by into the absolute hypocrisy that is part of what has destroyed this sport.

-1 ( +13 / -14 )

Trump showed an unmistakably high amount of interest in this ancient Japanese cultural aspect.

Not bad for a man who's constantly smeared as a xenophobe and a racist.

0 ( +12 / -12 )

Good grief, plasticmonkey, you would boo him if he cured cancer.

Wrong.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Yout can watch it here: https://youtu.be/CU23QUYQdds

5 ( +5 / -0 )

@reckless

China must be burning with envy... they took the absolute wrong approach to Trump...

Are you kidding?

Nobody in the world bows lower to Trump than Abe and the Japanese population will not forgive him for this disgrace to their wonderful sport of Sumo. Japanese culture cannot be traded for automobile tariffs.

4 ( +10 / -6 )

Should make this a yearly event for the next 6 years.

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

Somethings are best unsaid.......

0 ( +0 / -0 )

So Trump hating liberals, if not the president of the United States for the honor of this first visit, then who?

Who would you prefer that Japan build a relationship with if not the USA? I know you hate Trump but all this benefits Japan too.

-4 ( +6 / -10 )

Some commentator on CNN tonight was saying that Japan gravely insulted Trump by making him sit in a chair in front of the ring instead of the VIP booth (Emperor's chair). Are they for real? Did Japan also insult Abe by putting him there too?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

CONGRATULATIONS ASANOYAMA!

WINNERS WIN!

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Asanoyama said he was very happy to receive it.

Of course. What else could he say? That said, it might mean something along the line of you use chopsticks or you speak Japanese very well. Something which must be said but its sincerity might well be doubted.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Donald Trump is the greatest president of all time. It’s great that he is in Japan forging relationships by watching Sumo amongst other activities. Next year he will be reelected for another outstanding 4 years.

-10 ( +4 / -14 )

umbrellaToday  12:30 am JST

"Donald Trump is the greatest president of all time. It’s great that he is in Japan forging relationships by watching Sumo amongst other activities. Next year he will be reelected for another outstanding 4 years."

I sent my money to the Trump 2020 campaign the other day. Felt really good :)

-9 ( +3 / -12 )

Well, the Japanese look genuinely happy to take pictures of Trump. What is there to hate.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

gokai_wo_manekuMay 26  11:35 pm JST

“Some commentator on CNN tonight was saying that Japan gravely insulted Trump by making him sit in a chair in front of the ring instead of the VIP booth (Emperor's chair).”

I guess that commentator missed the reports I saw in the Japanese media that said the VIP booth was considered but in the end they went with the the installment of temporary ringside chairs because Trump himself wanted to see the action up close.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

First, congrats to Asanoyama!!

They wouldn't let the "dumpster" sit in the VIP area before Emperor Naruhito has. Besides that, the "I" that refers to the "rezident" hardly stands for important...immature or impudent or impertinent...take your pick. I choose inane.

My favorite moment was when the "Dump", a native English speaker, couldn't even pronounce the word commemoration. he should stick with monosyllabic words.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

"Did he take his shoes off before entering the ring?

Moderator: He wore slippers."

...Abe wore slippers initially.

Wasn't obvious Trump did though.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

While Trump is a distasteful human being overall, he represented well at the sumo.

Don with his crossed arms (looking as if he can't wait for the even to be over already, just so he can run to the bathroom)

I think that's just full-body resting-b$%#h-face. Google it if you've never heard of it.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Came late, looked bored, sat in a chair, ruined the vibe (what do you mean, no zabuton throwing?) couldn’t hold the Shojo correctly and needed help to pick up the trophy. Ugh.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Any person would have a permanent scowl on his or her face if she or he had to sit next to Trump so often! Melania is already working on her new program, Scowl Best.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

It is not everyday that the leader of the free world graces a nation in this way! What an honor for all who bore witness to the legitimization of Sumo! The nation celebrates today and forever this single act! Japan is reborn!

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Gross

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Came late, looked bored, sat in a chair, ruined the vibe (what do you mean, no zabuton throwing?) couldn’t hold the Shojo correctly and needed help to pick up the trophy. Ugh.

Everyone there didn't seem to have any problem with him and his entourage attending and presenting that gorgeous President's Trophy.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Trump could have been a contender, he has the heft, in the tournament and if he won awarded himself. Now that would have been impressive.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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