Akebono Rolls 11 in Fukuoka  

Akebono Rolls 11 in Fukuoka Wins 12 in Row For His First Multiple-Yusho Year Since 1993 by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO Yokozuna AKEBONO had silenced most of the critics who said he was ‘washed up’ with the 13-2 performance in Nagoya that gave him his tenth yusho.  He again went 13-2 under the Kokugikan roof in September:  although the showing did not top MUSASHIMARU’s 14-1, he probably gained some small satisfaction in being the one to ruin his fellow Hawaiian’s rensho.  So he arrived in Fukuoka for the Kyushu

DROUGHT GOES ON - Yokozuna TAKANOHANA (left) goes down under ozeki CHIYOTAIKAI's assault. The loss left TAKANOHANA behind AKEBONO in the race for the Kyushu yusho: both he and MUSASHIMARU finished with 11-4 marks to AKEBONO's 14-1 effort. (Photo: Ken Coller/SUMO NOW!)

Basho ranked at yokozuna #1-West with recharged confidence in his power and skills.  After opening 2-1 he kept his cool, refocused his efforts -- and pushed, thrust and forced his way right through his next twelve opponents to take the Kyushu championship.  The only blemish on an otherwise-perfect performance was a hatakikomi loss to komusubi-West WAKANOSATO on day 3.  This was the first time since 1993 that AKEBONO has won more than one Emperor’s Cup in a single year:  in that earlier campaign he took the Tenno-Hai four times in becoming the first non-Japanese to earn the tsuna and gohei.  He also clinched the best win-loss record in 2000 by going 76-14 over the six 2000 contests.  (The record is 82-8 held by KITANOUMI.  TAKANOHANA went 81-9 in his promotion year of 1994:  MUSASHIMARU’s 1999 record was 70-20.)

After sitting out the Aki festivities due to an elbow injury, TAKANOHANA returned to the wars ranked at yokozuna #2-East.  With his yusholess streak entering its third year he probably had to prove to everyone (and most of all to himself) that he was not yet ready to follow older brother WAKANOHANA into retirement.  And he made a strong statement to that effect, rolling off eight straight wins to open the competition.  But then the number one man on the Futagoyama banzuke had to contend with the new hostile strength in the upper sanyaku - and that power asserted itself in defeats by ozeki #3-West MUSOYAMA and #1-West CHIYOTAIKAI.  He won his next two matches to remain in striking range, but his successive losses to yokozuna #1-East MUSASHIMARU and AKEBONO meant that his dry spell would continue into the 21st century.  Musashigawa’s mammoth heyagashira was also in the chase, winning his first 6 bouts before losing to maegashira #3-West CHIYOTENZAN.  The Aki 2000 winner (and last year’s Kyushu champ) won his next three matches to stay in the race; but his chances took a hit when surging maegashira #9-West KOTOMITSUKI rolled him to the clay for a second kinboshi giveaway.  He did not pack it in, though:  by disposing of TAKANOHANA he kept close enough for AKEBONO to hear his breathing.  But ozeki #1-East KAIO downed him with the rarely-seen ipponzeoi (over-the-shoulder throw) and AKEBONO would not be denied on senshuraku.  Both MUSASHIMARU and TAKANOHANA finished with acceptable 11-4’s.

With five rikishi ranked at ozeki, those fans who came to the Fukuoka Kokusai Centre could look forward to some really exciting competition.  CHIYOTAIKAI and #2-West MIYABIYAMA started strong:  on day 9 they were tied for the overall lead with the three yokozuna.  But while the Kokonoe heyagashira was giving TAKANOHANA the treatment MIYABIYAMA lost to AKEBONO, putting him in a tie with TAKANOHANA and KAIO.  The hometown hero and Natsu 2000 champion rolled off seven straight victories after his shonichi defeat; but losses to CHIYOTAIKAI, AKEBONO and TAKANOHANA squelched his yusho chances and left him with a 11-4 outing to lead the quintet.  Meanwhile #2-East DEJIMA led off well with five wins, but then batted .500 in his next 6.  Once he had his 8 he went flat, losing his 3 of his last 4.  He then infected stablemate MIYABIYAMA, who proceeded to lose 6 of his last 7.  The malaise even spread to CHIYOTAIKAI, who totally collapsed in his last 5 matches.  And Hatsu 2000 winner #3-West MUSOYAMA lost on opening day at the small hands of maegashira #2-West HAMANOSHIMA to lead into an inconsistent performance that mixed wins and losses.  All three Musashigawa ozeki finished with passing-grade 9-6 records.  CHIYOTAIKAI also went 9-6;  but this writer has the feeling that Kokonoe Oyakata will not give his performance a passing grade.

Between ozeki promotions, injury demotions and age, what used to be a strong lower sanyaku is now considerably weaker.   The sorriest example was the performance of sekiwake-East TAKANONAMI.  The moto-ozeki and two-time yusho winner, once a tower of strength in the Futagoyama pantheon, was but a shadow of his former self:  even when he was able to set his once-deadly kimedashi, he did not appear to have the power to finish.  He was make-koshi after the first eight days:  his 6-9 posting means he’ll probably have to learn to get by on a maegashira’s paycheck just as former ozeki KONISHIKI and KIRISHIMA did not too long ago.  On the other side of the banzuke sekiwake-West HAYATEUMI really worked to keep his head above water.  He was 4-4 after eight days in his sanyaku debut, but in defeating komusubi-East TOCHINOHANA he had the misfortune of having his fallen foe land on his leg.  This got him a ride in the wheelchair designed especially for rikishi, forced him out of further action this basho and will probably drop him back into the hiramaku ranks for the Hatsu contest.   TOCHINOHANA fought as hard as he could but the tough karma associated with the ‘killer rank’ finally asserted itself as it always will against those who are ‘not ready for prime time’:  he fell flat on his face with a 3-12 record.  WAKANOSATO showed far stronger stuff:  after losing six of his first 7 matches the Naruto heyagashira won his last eight, pulling out a 9-6 and earning a sekiwake slot for January.  His zensho-spoiling defeat of AKEBONO won him a share of the Shukun-Sho (Outstanding Performance Prize).

After missing his shin-nyumaku debut earlier this year due to injury and being returned to Juryo as a result, KOTOMITSUKI won the second division yusho with a 14-1 posting to earn a return to the ‘bright lights’.  Sadogatake’s new powerhouse didn’t waste any time establishing himself as a top-division impact player by grabbing a share of the lead after 10 days:  his only loss in that time was to maegashira #6-West KYOKUTENHO.  Seeing this the torikumi committee pitted the 1998 All-Japan amateur champion against MUSASHIMARU, where a well-executed throw garnered him the first kinboshi of his career.  A loss to TAKANOHANA put a crimp in his charge, but he stayed on AKEBONO’s heels by crushing the three members of Musashigawa’s “College of Sumo Knowledge” in the final three days.  His sparkling 13-2 led the hiramaku, took the jun-yusho and won all three sansho:  Shukun-Sho, Kanto-Sho (Fighting Spirit Prize) and Gino-Sho (Technique Prize).  It will also launch him skyward into the sanyaku for the January action.  (For further information refer to article in October SUMO SHIMPO – Ed.)

Having been dropped to maegashira #4-West on his 2-4-9 record in Tokyo, TOCHIAZUMA sat out the Fukuoka action on Public Injury to rejuvenate his injured shoulder.  The active leader in kinboshi with 16, maegashira #1-East AKINOSHIMA was well positioned to add to his trove.  No treasure this time:  he lost to both AKEBONO and MUSASHIMARU and put up a 5-10 record.  The other gold star specialist, #4-East TOSANOUMI went 0 for 2 in his bouts with MUSASHIMARU and TAKANOHANA and finished with a 7-8.  CHIYOTENZAN’s kinboshi win over MUSASHIMARU was his only highlight in an otherwise-poor 6-9 showing.  For every one of the past nine years the Kyushu Basho has held bad karma for TAKATORIKI.  Ranked at #5-East, the Haru 2000 champion lost early and often against other hiramaku:  in the first nine days he lost eight torikumi on his way to a 4-11 and a trip on the same ‘erebeta’ his stablemates are riding – going down.  He has now had 930 Makunouchi matches without a Kosho Seido break:  at this rate he should fight his 1000th consecutive bout during Aki 2001.  Aside from KOTOMITSUKI’s stellar effort, the top maegashira postings were an 11-4 by #8-West TAKANOWAKA and a 10-5 for #7-West TOCHINONADA.  No hiramaku went 9-6.

In Juryo action #1-West KINKAIYAMA won the yusho and a return to the ‘bright lights’ with a 12-3.  He will likely be joined by the new Mongolian sensation #3-West ASASHORYU, who put up an 11-4.  #5-West TAMARIKIDO and #12-West KOBO posted 10-5 marks, while #3-East DAISHI and #11-West YOTSUKASA both went 9-6.  With his 36-year old toes hanging over the #13-West precipice TOMONOHANA, the 109-kilogram veteran known affectionately as “Sensei”, pulled an 8-7 for at least two more months in the sekitori sunshine.

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

Five Ozeki:  Any Future Yokozuna?
Editorial by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

The Kyushu Basho had FIVE rikishi ranked at ozeki.   With one yokozuna (AKEBONO) on the wrong side of thirty, and another one (TAKANOHANA) whose once-stellar career has lurched into mediocrity, there is a fairly good chance that one of those five men will win two or more yusho and earn the tsuna and gohei.

Which one(s) can rise to sumo’s ultimate honor?  In order of number of basho in grade (more or less) this writer takes a snapshot of the contenders at the final basho of the millennium and posts his thoughts and predictions.

CHIYOTAIKAI 

Heya:  Kokonoe
Strengths:  Built for the game from the feet up:  under the tutelage of a legend of the sport.
Foibles:  Current style too one-dimensional:  cannot always win with big charge and quick slap-down.
Analysis:  Still needs to add speed and sureness to his mawashi work.  But Kokonoe Oyakata should be more than capable of teaching him, and the Kokonoe heyagashira will either learn or leave.  Smart money is on the former.
Prospects for future yokozuna promotion:  Good.

DEJIMA

Heya:  Musashigawa
Strengths:  Strong stable provides high level of intramural competition.
Foibles:  Oyakata’s ‘hands-off’ attitude forcing heya’s sekitori to focus more on teaching younger sumotori and less on personal development.
Analysis:  There has been no yokozuna with a collegiate background since the retirement of WAJIMA.  DEJIMA has been having trouble of late keeping his sumo at a consistent level:  he needs to post consistent double-digit outings to demonstrate his readiness for the next and final step.
Prospects for future yokozuna promotion:  Fair to good.

MIYABIYAMA

Heya:  Musashigawa
Strengths:  see DEJIMA.
Foibles:  again see DEJIMA.  Only one of current crop without the credential of a yusho:  lacks seasoning.
Analysis:  This writer will always regret that he didn’t take the opportunity to trade grips with this man when he visited LA back in May 1998:  “Tonkatsu” will always have that claim to fame for himself.  Inexperience and carelessness cost him a crack at the yusho at Haru 2000, when he failed to secure veteran TAKATORIKI at the dohyo edge and allowed himself to be sideslipped and pulled out.  More keiko (especially against MUSASHIMARU) should cure this problem.
Prospects for future yokozuna promotion:  Fair to good.

KAIO

Heya:  Tomozuna
Strengths:  Great physical power coupled with strong yotsu style.
Foibles:  Doubts about mental focus.  The only one of the five who has already surpassed his mentor in terms of achievement.
Analysis:  Of the five, probably the best-equipped from a physical and technical standpoint:  now capable of a powerful nage attack with either hand, inside or out.  All he needs is what MUSASHIMARU finally developed:  the mind-set of a grand champion.  Unfortunately he can’t get this from a close source since Tomozuna Oyakata never won a yusho or rose above sekiwake.  If KAIO can develop one on his own and become secure in it, look out!
Prospects for future yokozuna promotion:  Very good:  best of the current crop.

MUSOYAMA

Heya:  Musashigawa
Strengths:  Member of Musashigawa “College of Sumo Knowledge”:  excellent yotsu skills.
Foibles:  Mental and physical inconsistency:  does not handle injury well.
Analysis:  Considering how long he’s been in the sanyaku and high maegashira, his progress has been disappointing.  His stock fell even further when he didn’t compete in his shin-ozeki basho and went 4-11 in Nagoya.  The doubters on the Yokozuna Deliberation Council don’t want a repeat of WAKANOHANA.  To win them over MUSOYAMA would have to perform on a par with TAKANOHANA’s 1994 showing - and that is just not in the cards.
Prospects for future yokozuna promotion:  Poor.

The preceding is the writer’s opinion only and does not reflect that of the entire SUMO SHIMPO staff or the Southern California Sumo Kyokai.  If you see it differently, write it up and send it in!

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

RECIPE CORNER:  Sakana Chankonabe
by Marcus “Hokkyokuguma” Barber for SUMO SHIMPO

4 quarts of chicken stock (for stew base)
2 large cans of tuna packed in water, drained (with juice set aside)
1 large can of salmon packed in water, drained (with juice set aside)
2 medium onions, peeled and chopped
5 or 6 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 negi onion (substitute a large leek), chopped
½ daikon radish, peeled and chopped
3 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
6 shiitake mushrooms (optional, especially since I am allergic to mushrooms)
½ medium cabbage, chopped
1 cake of aburage (deep-fried tofu), chopped
½ cup soy sauce, or more to taste
½ cup mirin (a sweet sake, substitute ½ cup sake and 1 Tablespoon sugar)
½ Tablespoon or more of salt
1 can of water chestnuts
1 can of baby corn (cut in half)
1 can of bamboo shoots
1 can of creamed corn (or 2 if you want a more “stew-like” soup)
And either 1 pack udon (wheat noodles; substitute egg noodles) or rice

Here are some substitutions and/or additions:
Napa Cabbage, Bok Choy, tofu (medium or firm), and other Asian vegetables as wanted

1-       bring the stock and the salmon/tuna juice to a boil, then reduce to simmer

2-       add soy sauce, mirin, salt, tofu, and creamed corn and simmer for 5 minutes

3-       add all vegetables in order of time required to cook (carrots and potatoes would need longer to cook than mushrooms and cabbage) and simmer for 30 minutes

4-       per 2 people, take 1 ½ cups of uncooked rice and place in a rice cooker with 3 cups of slightly salted water, cook rice (should take half and hour or so)

5-       flake the salmon and tuna, then add to the soup and simmer for an additional 30 to 45 minutes

6-       meanwhile, bring the udon to a boil and then set aside while waiting for chanko nabe to cook.

7-       serve hot chanko nabe over udon noodles or rice

Makes 2 gallons of stew.  Should feed 8 to 10.  

Marcus Barber is a new competitive member of the SCSK. He is a former freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestler who now teaches in California.  His shikona “Hokkyokuguma” is Japanese for polar bear.

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

North Americans On and Done in “Joyzey”
by "Tonkatsu" for SUMO SHIMPO

In our last issue we reported that it appeared that the North American Championship was going to be at an Indian casino in Connecticut.  This fell through at the last minute when it was belatedly discovered that the room was not big enough.  With no other prospects and time running out the decision was made to hold the event at Mr. Yonezuka's Judo and Karate Center in Cranford, New Jersey on November fourth.

A notice had been previously been sent out by Mr. Yonezuka requesting that anyone who could pay their own way to the World Championships in Sao Paulo, Brazil notify him by October thirtieth.  Attendance at the North American Championship was also on a pay your own way basis.  The primary effect of this was that there were no representatives of Hawaii.  Thus, the defending middleweight, heavyweight and open champions were not present.  In spite of this, there were exciting competitions in all divisions contested.  In addition to the missing Hawaiians, Manny Yarbrough, Joel Brutus and Kevin Carter were present but did not compete due to injuries or illness.

Championships were contested in the lightweight, middleweight and heavyweight divisions, plus team competitions.  No explanation as to why there was no open competition was offered and we didn't ask.

There were six competitors in the lightweight division, up from last year’s three.  They were: defending champion Nick Yonezuka, two time champion and last years silver medalist Andy Ruggerio, last years bronze medalist Danny Mistichelli, 2000 US Jr. Judo Champion Greg Donofrio all from New Jersey, California lightweight gold medalist Trent Sabo, California lightweight silver medalist Andrew Freund, and Bojan Lajhmer of Canada. We are sorry we don't have the match by match breakdown.   After some of the best matches of the day, the medalists were: 

1. Greg Donofrio (NJ)
2. Danny Mistichelli (NJ)
3. Andy Ruggerio (NJ)

With eleven competitors, the middleweight division was the largest this time around.  Of these only defending silver medalist Craig Montgomery, Rene Marte and Jeff Barber (all from New Jersey) were holdovers from last year.  Other wrestlers from New Jersey included:  Leonard Thomas, Jeremy Marcus and Anthony Reeder.  Brice Hoyes and Peter Faulhaber represented Canada and Doug Ballard came east from Indiana.  California Masters silver medalist Harry Dudrow and California openweight bronze medalist Rick Rand represented the Golden State.  At age sixty Harry was once again the oldest competitor, although Canadian Peter Faulhaber ran a close second at fifty two.  The results were:

1. Craig Montgomery (Puerto Rico)
2. Rene Marte (Jamaica)
3. Anthony Reeder (NJ)

The heavyweight division was this years small group, with only four competitors.  They were: 1998 bronze medalist James Perry from North Carolina, Canadians Elmer Gale and Mike McBeam, and Carl Pappalardo of New York.

With only four competitors this division was done round robin.

First round:  Gale d. Perry; Pappalardo d. McBeam.
Second round:  Perry d. Pappalardo; Gale d. McBeam.
Third round:  Perry d. McBeam; Pappalardo d. Gale.

There was a three-way tie at the end of the round robin.  It took two more rounds to break the tie, with the following result:

1. James Perry (NC)
2. Elmer Gale (Canada)
3. Carl Pappalardo (NY)

In the team competition the teams were:

United States
1. Jeff Barber (NJ)
2. Anthony Reeder (NJ)
3. James Perry (NC)

Canada
1. Mike McBeam
2. Brice Hoyce
3. Elmer Gale

Caribbean
1. Rene Marte (Jamaica)
2. Leonard Thomas (Puerto Rico)
3. Craig Montgomery (Puerto Rico)

The results were:
USA 3-Canada 0
Caribbean 2-Canada 1
USA 3-Caribbean 0

1. USA 2. Caribbean 3. Canada

The day’s activities closed with 1998 and 1999 World lightweight Champion Svetoslav Binev of Bulgaria (who currently resides in Southern California) wrestling several exhibitions against Polish lightweight John Chorostkowski (who is living in Canada) and two of the New Jersey lightweights.

After the competitions, meetings of the North American and U.S. Sumo Federations were held.  NASF President Joe Serriani reported that Harry Dudrow had been contacted by a group in Seattle that is interested in doing next year’s North American Championship.

The primary business of the USSF meeting was the election of officers.  The following offices were filled.

President:  Yoshisada Yonezuka
Vice President:  John Jacques
Treasurer:  Kevin Carter
Secretary:  Andrew Freund.

The election of new Trustees was tabled pending revisions to the bylaws.

We thank Mr. Yonezuka for making his dojo available.  The competition was very spirited at all levels.

Based on who was able to commit to getting themselves to Brazil by October thirtieth, the U.S. team at the World Championships will be:

Lightweight:  Nicholas Yonezuka
Middleweight:  Kenna Heffernan
Heavyweight:  James Perry
Openweight:  Manny Yarbrough  

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

JUNIOR DIVISION YUSHO WINNERS

  [back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

Upcoming Tournaments On SCSK Event Calendar
by “Yukikaze” for SUMO SHIMPO

The Southern  California Sumo Kyokai will be participating in a new tournament on Sunday, December 10, 2000.  The 2000 Holiday Open Tournament will be held at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Escondido, CA.  The event has been organized by 5th degree black belt (shotokan) Clarke Dailey, who participated in the California Open Sumo Championship and heads up the Christian Karate Federation in the Escondido area.  There will be competitions for men in the light, middle, heavy and open weight divisions:  a cash award will go to the openweight winner.   There will be competitions for children.  Entry fee for competitors is $10.00.  Spectators will be admitted free.

On Saturday, January 20, 2001 the Goltz Sumo Tournament, hosted by judo sensei Gary Goltz, will be held at the Baseline Recreation Centre in Claremont, CA.  There will be competitions for men in the light, middle, heavy and open weight divisions along with a ‘Masters’ competition.   There will be competitions for children.  Entry fee for competitors is $5.00.  Spectators will be admitted free here as well.

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

Reflections On an Olympic Moment
by “Tonkatsu” for SUMO SHIMPO

Given NBC's sorry coverage of the Olympics, one seldom sees Greco-Roman wrestling, especially on prime time.  The reason of course is that Americans rarely get anywhere close to the Gold Medal match.  The Sydney Games were a rare exception, with the Wyoming farm boy Rulon Gardner matched against the legendary Russian Alexander Karelin, who was going for his fourth gold medal.

"Alexander the Great" as he is called, hadn't lost a match in International competition since 1987.  In their only previous meeting, he had easily defeated Gardner.  An upset didn't seem likely.  Yet, at the end of two three minute periods of regulation and a three-minute overtime, Gardner emerged the victor 1 to 0.

OK, by now you are probably asking, "what has this got to do with sumo?"  Well, it’s just that as I sat and watched this match I couldn't help but contrast it with sumo.  Don't get me wrong, I was just as excited by Gardner's victory as anyone.  It was a great Olympic moment.  But the match itself?  I thought it was really boring.  Basically, nine minutes of two guys leaning on each other.  Every so often Gardner was called for passivity and put in the down position.  A position that Karelin had made a career of taking advantage of, but he couldn't move Gardner. The second round of a Greco-Roman match starts with the wrestlers in a clinch.  Gardner scored his one point by breaking Karelin's grip. You need three points to win in regulation time, thus the overtime.  To really like this you would have to be the type that enjoys a ‘pitcher’s duel’ in baseball, a defensive battle in football or a soccer match that ends with no score and has to be settled by penalty kicks.

Give me the fast, furious, and decisive action of a sumo match.  No points here, no overtimes needed either.  I guess my bottom line is:  if this relatively slow sport can be an Olympic sport, why can’t an exciting sport like sumo be an Olympic sport also?

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

Sumo Limericks?
by "Tonkatsu" for SUMO SHIMPO

Most sumo fans have heard of "sumo jinku", sumo songs written by yobidashi and often performed by wrestlers at exhibitions.  I have never heard one and I don't know how they would translate into English.

You are probably also familiar with haiku, "a Japanese verse form, rendered in English as three unrhymed lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively (total 17 syllables), often on some subject in nature."  (Webster's New World Dictionary).  Some time soon I am going to try my hand at haiku.  

In the meantime:  I happen to be very good at another type of verse, the limerick.  So, it occurred to me, why not some sumo limericks?  Now, all limerick purists know that to truly be a limerick the little poem should be risque.  We won't be that sticky here (this is a polite publication after all).

So, with no further ado (and apologies to Fujishima Oyakata), here is our first try at a new poetic form, the sumo limerick.

There was a rikishi named "Waka",
Who had a brother named "Taka"
     They both rose to the top,
     Where poor "Waka" did flop
Leaving the dohyo to "Taka".

If you would like to try your hand at sumo limericks or haiku, please e-mail your efforts to info@sumoshimpo.com or geomail them to the Poinsettia Street address on the masthead.

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

SEKITORI BIRTHDAYS for October thru January

Data from SUMO WORLD magazine.

[back to top]  [back to Sumo shimpo home]

CALENDAR OF SUMO EVENTS (compiled by the SUMO SHIMPO staff)

Kyushu Post-Basho Bash (PBB) December 2, 2000:  6:30PM Sakura of Tokyo, Glendora at Vincent (south of I-10) West Covina (see accompanying map)   9th World Amateur Sumo Championships December 2-3, 2000 Ibirapuera's Gymnasium, Sao Paolo, Brazil   2000 Holiday Open Tournament December 10, 2000 Knights of Columbus Hall; 515 West Valley Parkway, Escondido, CA (contact “Yukikaze” for directions or map)

Hatsu Basho:  Kokugikan, Tokyo
Banzuke:  December 20, 2000
Shonichi:  January 7, 2001 (Sunday)
SUMO DIGEST coverage begins January 8 (Monday) on KRCA (Channel 62) at 11:30 PM
Senshuraku:  January 21, 2001 (Sunday)

2001 Goltz Sumo Tournament
January 20, 2001
Baseline Recreation Center;  431 Base Line Road, Claremont, CA
(contact “Yukikaze” for directions or map)

Haru Basho:  Municipal Gymnasium, Osaka
Banzuke:  February 26, 2001
Shonichi:  March 11, 2001 (Sunday)
SUMO DIGEST coverage begins March 12 (Monday) on KRCA (Channel 62) at 11:30PM
Senshuraku:  March 25, 2001 (Sunday)

Natsu Basho:  Kokugikan, Tokyo
Banzuke:  April 25, 2001
Shonichi:  May 13, 2001 (Sunday)
SUMO DIGEST coverage begins May 14 (Monday) on KRCA (Channel 62) at 11:30 PM
Senshuraku:  May 27, 2001 (Sunday)

Nagoya Basho:  Aichi Prefectural Gymnasium
Banzuke:  June 25, 2001
Shonichi:  July 8, 2001 (Sunday)

SUMO DIGEST coverage begins July 9 (Monday) on KRCA (Channel 62) at 11:30 PM
Senshuraku:  July 22, 2001 (Sunday)

NOTE:  all times, dates and channels for SUMO DIGEST are assumptions based on the present schedule.

The LONG BEACH POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE and SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SUMO KYOKAI thanks this company for its support of the 2000 CALIFORNIA OPEN SUMO CHAMPIONSHIP…