Da Basho

The last basho of the year, and it's in Fukuoka, and we weren't going to miss it.

Since seeing sumo live for the first time last March, Miss Yaki and I have really taken a shining to it. We've learned most of the characters' names and have got our favourites. For those out there picturing rolly polly fat men waddling around a ring and belly bouncing each other out, you're off the mark. Admittedly some of these guys could use the support of a bra, and are packing a lot up front, but when you see them throw their legs in the air and the sheer brute force when they match up, you can't not be impressed. They really are athletes. Athletes that tuck into a lot of vittles and sake, but athletes nonetheless.

Here's Miss Yaki and I posing with one of our favourites:

Unfortunately, he was out with a broken toe so we had to settle for the cardboard cutout.


I try to look tough beside the absolute number one, the yokozuna, Asashoryo.


Miss Yaki gives hometown favourite Kaio some love.

We didn't just pose with cardboard. We did manage to see the real thing too.
Here's a quick rundown for posterity:
The bouts were great. The second match of the Makuuchi division
was between Homasho, who came in at 11-2 and the only one still alive
to take the emperor's cup, and Tamakasuga. We've dubbed Homasho the
chief because he looks like the Native American of sumo wrestling.
Anyway, he's actually Japanese so the crowd was going nuts for him.
After some exciting back and forth he managed to get the win and the
place exploded. Another memorable bout was between Miyabiyama and
Kotomitsuki. I really can't choose one of these freaks to cheer for,
so I just enjoyed the slap happy match. It was so entertaining that I
briefly applauded Miyabiyama when he won, but quickly stopped. The
next match saw Kisenosato beat hometown hero Kaio which was
disappointing, but he ended up having a decent tournament. The
penultimate match had the hairy back beast Tochiazuma beating
Chiyotaikai. Then, too quickly, it was down to the last one of the
day: Asashoryu vs. Kotooshu. Asa could clinch the cup or Kotooshu
could keep Homasho's hopes alive. After a short dance on the lowdown
while each tried to get a good grip, Asa got the grip and tossed
Kotooshu like someone's skinny uncle. He finished the tourney 15-0.
He really is the man.

Alas, all this action and our pictures turned out mostly useless. After Indonesia, I said, "no matter what, I'm not buying another disposable camera. They're worthless." Embarassingly short memory on me it seems.

Anyway, here's a few from the action:

The big boys do some pre-match theatrics.


Look at that leg kick.

Asa's ritual observed in the flesh.



He's unstoppable.