sumo

Sumo tries to recruit baseball dropouts

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© 2012 AFP

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I was a fan of sumo for years and years (even watching it live three times), but when the sumo powers that be railroaded Asashoryu out of the sport - for good reason, some would argue - my interest in sumo not only waned, but disappeared completely. It seems that with the colorful 'bad boy' of sumo gone, and his great rivalry with Hakuho along with it, the sport itself has become much less interesting (to me, at least).

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If the Japan Sumo Association is so desperate and hurting for recruits they should change the ban of two new foreigners per stable or maybe it's only one now allowed in professional sumo. There are plenty of foreigners especially from some European countries that would love to become a sumo wrestler. I heard that they were worried in the past and did not like the idea about how the sport of sumo was going to be dominated by these foreigners. However it's probably time for change.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

avengerNov. 10, 2012 - 06:11PM JST I think that with MMA and all the different martial arts that have come to light, Sumo is just not seen as so mythical any more. As well, they are all quite fat and if you invited line backers from the NFL to compete, they would be completely wasted. What is interesting, just trip and armlock these guys

I think Sumo is a little bit more complicated than it seems at first glance. There would be hardly any NFL linebackers who would stand against a Juryo/Makunouchi Rikishi. The top level guys would destroy them without hardly any effort. Too completely different sports requiring to completely different skill sets.

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Seems like the sumo world is falling apart. What a tragedy.

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trying to imagine what a lead-off basestealer would look like vs a 2-time World Champion sumo wrestler.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Give them a chance.

Maybe they will allow baseball bats to used. TV Ratings will shoot through the roof.

After firing Asashoryu, without having immediately the whole Sumo board replaced, every word on Sumo is wasted....

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Wow, the national sport having to bottom-feed for baseball's rejects. The demise of the sport is happening even quicker than anyone could have imagined.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

High school drop out to baseball player to baseball drop out to sumo player. Hmmmm maybe not the best recipe to get sumo back up on its feet

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

fluff and scandals can't win you new fans...or recruits

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

I think that with MMA and all the different martial arts that have come to light, Sumo is just not seen as so mythical any more. As well, they are all quite fat and if you invited line backers from the NFL to compete, they would be completely wasted. What is interesting, just trip and armlock these guys

-3 ( +0 / -3 )

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