Sumo Kaboom
Episodes
January Basho Days 4-10
19 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A rambling discussion on days 4-10 of the January 2022 basho. What is Hakuho most worried about these days? (It's not what you think) Which large man...
January 2021 Basho Days 1-3
12 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
THE BOYS ARE BACK, and we are cheering on our favorite wrestlers. The week began with a sneak peek of Kakuryu singing "My Way" and just got better fro...
The Stories of Wakamotoharu and Oho
05 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Happy 2022! We're back to discuss BINGO, the banzuke, and who is new to the top division. It's Oho and Wakamotoharu, and their tales are FULL of drama...
2021 North American Sumo Championship
15 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We went to Las Vegas and watched American sumo wrestlers compete for the World Games. Here's who won and who had the best hair. More about the North A...
John Jacques and the History of American Sumo
08 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
John Jacques breaks down American sumo history better than anyone else. Immigration, sugar cane fields, the famous fighting regiment 442, sumo wrestle...
End of the November Basho and BINGO winners
01 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
2021 professional sumo ended with it's usual excitement, while Leslie went down with an injury. We pick up with Day 11 and quickly discuss the final d...
Sumo is back! Days 1 - 3
17 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The first 3 days are a blast! We discuss everything from robberies to that nasty henka, offensive vs. defensive sumo, The Atomic Wedgie, Takakeisho's...
Kiribayama and Shohozan
10 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We scoured the interwebs for personal details on two amazing wrestlers, Kiribayama and Shohozan! If you love sumo, it's only a matter of time until yo...
November Banzuke
03 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We're getting more interested in the banzuke, but we can't help but discuss sumo buns, nicknames, and who needs a new mawashi. Because, well, we're u...
Colton Runyan
27 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What is it really like to train for sumo when you didn't grow up with it? How do football and sumo compare? What does sumo have to do with Japanese He...
Mawashi
20 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
A short episode about a small piece of wrestling wear. We start with mawashi and can't help but fall down the rabbit hole of fundoshi and the Naked Ma...
Sumo Nicknames
13 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the best of wrestler nicknames here - from Kaiju to the Battle Hamster and beyond! More about Sumo Kaboom: www.sumokaboom.com Twitter @Sumo...
News, Myogiryu and the Abacus
06 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of sumo news this week about retirement, news conferences and celebrations. And then, we're off on a deep dive into veteran wrestler Myogiryu. Th...
Aki BashoDays 10-15 and BINGO winners
29 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Who won sumo BINGO? And who won the REAL sumo basho? What impressed us about Days 10-15 of the Aki basho? Listen to find out. More about Sumo Kaboom:...
Aki Basho Days 3 - 9
21 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
That terrible henka. That amazing throw. The cellulitis. Oh my! We break down our favorite moments from days 3 through 9 of the September basho. More...
Grand Sumo Breakdown and Days 1 and 2 of the September Basho
14 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Grand Sumo Breakdown time! We cover a LOT, but we definitely get to their predictions for the basho, their plans for the future, and the art of sumo c...
BINGO, Yutakayama and bigSUMOfan
08 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Curious about how BINGO works? This time, we've got MORE cards for twice the BINGO fun! Plus, we tell you about sumo wrestler Yutakayama, who is back ...
The Banzuke, Sumo Slumps, and Pollyanna
01 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's a wild discussion about the new banzuke and sumo slumps. Hint: one of us doesn't mind a sumo slump at all. More about Sumo Kaboom: www.sumokab...
Sumo Karaoke
25 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sumo and karoke pair perfectly. If you don't love big guys wrestling, we bet you'll love the singing! Fight songs. Love songs. Group songs. The hist...
Terunofuji's Inspiration - Doing Sumo with 1 Arm
18 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
With the Paralympics coming up, we're chatting about Yoshiki Fuse, the 1-armed sumo wrestler, and Futabayama, the yokozuna who fought blind in one eye...
The Wonderful World of Ushizumo
11 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's not rodeo. It's not bullflighting. Ushizumo is it's own thing, and it's strangely similar to the sport we all love. Favorite quotes: "Are you an ...
Cannabis Sumo Scandals
04 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
These cannabis sumo scandals are rather recent developments. We talk about the 2008 and 2009 scandals and also discuss the current pot scandal. And, M...
What is Terunofuji Doing Now?
28 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ceremonies, photo ops, press conferences, belts and dohyo iris! Terunofuji is busy these days with big fish, fancy dress robes, and hopefully the Meij...
July Basho Days 10-15
21 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We discuss the Kachi-Koshi BINGO winners and the July basho days 10-15. We LOVED the sumo, the drama, and we know you did, too! If you ever wonder whe...
July Basho Days 3-9
13 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our favorite sumo matches of days 3 - 6. And of course, it leads us to discussions about cuddling, love trains, Monty Python, Hakuho fear, the Staypuf...
Meisei's Story. Ichiyamamoto's Story. Day 1 and 2 of the Basho.
06 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ichiyamamoto - who is he and why is his story unusual? Meisei - why do the ladies on the train love him? What do we think of days 1 and 2 of the July ...
What is Ura's story? Who is Chiyonoo?
30 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The BINGO rundown for the July tournament. Chiyonoo- who is he? And popular Ura - what's his story? Who is is small in stature but grand in character...
US National Sumo Championship
23 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The US National Sumo Championship was held outside of Austin, TX in June, 2021. It was hot fun, and we talked to a lot of different people involved in...
Wakatakakage - When Sumo Runs in Your Family
16 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Wakatakakage. Who is he, and where does he come from? What's his story? Wakatakakage fans unite! We looked into his life and the life of his grandfath...
One Does Not Simply Become a Yokozuna
09 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
From the earliest mention of yokozuna, what did it take to become one? The right look? A recommendation from the right person? A letter from a council...
John Gunning Talks Sumo (and a bunch of other fun stuff)
02 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you have an interest in sumo and sports media, you already know John, as you can watch him on NHK World or read his articles in the Japan Times and...
May Basho Finish & BINGO winners
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We're exhausted after a fantastic basho. What a roller coaster ride! We break it down for you here, including whose BINGO was the best. And, who impre...
May Basho Days 4-9 & Hot Takes with Konishiki
18 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered what an ex-sumo wrestler thinks of the guys who are wrestling now? This is your episode! Hot Takes with Konishiki - what does he think o...
May Basho Days 1-3
12 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
BINGO has begun! The sumo posters have been revealed! And, the boys are back! We couldn't be any happier. We talk everything from new mawashi colors ...
Konishiki
05 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
If you've ever wondered what it's REALLY like being a sumo wrestler, this is your week. Konishiki said to ask him anything, so we did. We asked about ...
The Small Boys of Sumo
28 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Fans go crazy for the smaller men of sumo, so this week, we dive into Mainoumi (maybe his is a new name for you?) and the men who desperately wanted t...
The Big Boys of Sumo
21 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Historic big boys of the past and present. We introduce you to some of the biggest wrestlers of the past and then look into 2 of the largest wrestlers...
Sumo Art
14 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
The week's episode is all about art, from the artist and sumo wrestler Kototsurugi to Ukiyo-e prints and modern manga. Also, boobs. And mangos. And di...
Kids in Sumo. Jake Book. The Hakuho Cup.
07 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Want to know about getting kids involved in sumo? This is your episode! We talk with Jake Book of Ohayo Sumo about his sumo training and how he's buil...
March Basho Days 11-15
31 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our conversation meanders from BINGO winners through news and then to the basho results. There's also some discussion of He-Man, horror movies, imagin...
March Basho Days 4-10
24 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We break down some of our favorite fights from days 4-10 of the March basho. But, it hard, because there's so much good sumo! If you ever wonder where...
March Basho Days 1-3, The Hakuho Full Circle
16 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Take a breath because days 1 - 3 are a blur of great sumo and rollercoaster news. Oh my goodness. If you ever wonder where we get our research, check...
Sumo Brothers
10 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Brothers competing in sumo at the same time isn't as unusual as you might think. This week we look at the Wakanohana, Takanohana, Hidenoumi, and Tobiz...
Eros Armstrong and Sumo Trailblazers
03 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
*Eros Armstrong *is the heavyweight representative on the 2020 Women's U.S. National Sumo Team. She's athletic, talented, and driven to be the best. A...
Black History Month
24 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We love learning new things, so this week, we decided it was time to focus on the contributions that POC have made to sumo wrestling. From myth and le...
Love and Marriage. Sort of.
17 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
It's February- the season of love! Time for some love related sumo poetry, stories, and the skinny on sumo marriage.
Pre Bout Rituals
10 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What do wrestlers need before a sumo match? Shiko! Power water! Salt! Belly thwacks! Shuffles! Crab walks! Big flexes! And so much more! We breakdown...
Who's Tochinoumi? Confused about Special Prizes?
03 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Yokozuna Tochinoumi, would just passed, who was he? And, are you confused about Special Prizes? Why did 3 guys get the same prize? Why did no one get ...
January Basho, Days 11 - 15
26 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Beginning with our BINGO winner, we move to highlights from days 11 - 15 of the January basho. What a treat that was, and congratulations to all the ...
January Basho Days 4-10
20 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We break down days 4 -10 in a weird, wild basho. So many wrestlers are out due to covid restrictions. What's wrong with Takakeisho? Shodai's style of ...
January Basho Days 1-3, Dallas Sumo Club
13 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We welcome a brand new sumo club to the area and review the January basho days 1-3. Who is looking strong? Who is under pressure? Who drew blood? And...
Akiseyama, Midorifuji, and Ikioi
06 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
News that covers Bingo to Coronavirus. Discussion of the January banzuke and spotlights on Akiseyama, Midorifuji, and Ikioi. We cover a lot in this ep...
Sumo's Best and Sexiest of 2020
16 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We feature YOU today- your favorite moments in sumo and your choice for sexiest wrestler of 2020. featuring Sumo Mainichi, the Grand Sumo Breakdown bo...
Sumo Holidays
09 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What do profesional sumo wreslers do over the holidays?
Takakeisho and All the Prizes
02 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We talk about the special prizes and what the winner takes home. Also, what it would take for Takakeisho to become a yokozuna? Can he do it? And, just...
November Basho Days 10-15 and BINGO
24 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our favorite matches and interviews. The best throw downs. Who we were rooting for. The terrible phrase that Leslie's Japanese friends taught her. Sum...
November Basho, days 3-9
17 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We love watching these boys wrestle, and we love commenting on the commentary, too. Mawashis, wedgies, horror movies, WWE wrestling moves, retirements...
Sumodo Review and the November Basho days 1 and 2
10 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Review of Sumodo, the latest sumo documentary, and SUMO is BACK! November basho- days 1 and 2. Somehow we manage to discuss Ryuden's kooky laugh, jury...
Sumo Snack and Chat
04 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Akua. Bingo. What it's like at a sumo tournament. Bento boxes. Blood type personalities. It's a hodgepodge of an episode with lots of laughter.
The 3 T's - Takanosho, Takayasu, and Terunofuji
28 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
New to November's sanyaku (though 2 of these guys have been here before), THE 3 T's. Which wrestler is nicknamed Riceball? Which one is known for his ...
Doreen Simmons and Katrina Watts
21 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Doreen Simmons and Katrina Watts. Two sumo commentators and experts in the field. Don't know their names? You should!
Mongolian Wrestling Makes Us Twitterpated
14 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Mongolian wrestling is why so many Mongolians are good at sumo. And, dang, those outfits! Time to get to know this wrestling style. "The sexy sport of...
International Sumo, Mixed Martial Arts, and the Consulate Cup
07 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Just HOW does a person become a professional sumo wrestler? Especially, if you can't show up on the doorstep of a sumo stable in Japan, how do you tra...
Aki Basho Days 10 - 15
30 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The last few days of the September, 2020 basho. Who won and how. Who ALMOST won. Who cried sumo tears. Who is the new Draco Malfoy. Who got Enho'ed. W...
Basho Day 3 - 9 Weeblewobbles, Andre the Giant and Danny Devito
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who got Enho'ed? Weeblewobbles! Square dancing! Andre the Giant vs Danny Devito! Dimples! Slow motion injury replays! Good God, we love sumo.
BINGO, Aki Basho, and Andy from the Tachiai Blog
15 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who won the first round of BINGO plus how we're expanding the game. Sumo breakdown of days 1 and 2, and meet Andy from the Tachiai blog, one of your b...
Banzuke, Bingo and Endo
09 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Changes to the banzuke including Endo joining the sanyaku. Introducing Sumo Kaboom's BINGO game! Play along with us during the tournament.
Ozeki Takakeisho and Asanoyama
02 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Takakeisho and Asanoyama. Two VERY different ozeki. Two completely different fighting styles and two different backgrounds. The more we look into it, ...
Sekiwake: Mitakeumi and Shodai. Mushroom Hunter and Enigma.
26 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What's known about our two current sekiwake- their personalities, their backgrounds, their fighting styles and what we don't know about them.
Komusubi: Spitball of Fire and Hotpants Magee; Daieisho and Okinoumi.
19 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Everything you never needed to know about Daieisho and Okinoumi.
All About Abi
12 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Lots of news happened this week in the sumo world, from baby announcements to daring escapes and Abi. We break it all down and try to understand from ...
July Basho Wrap Up Days 10 - 15
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
So much emotion all wrapped into one basho! The matches that made us laugh. The fights that made us jump from our chairs. The storylines that made us ...
July Basho Day 3 - 9
28 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Who gets "Enho'ed?" What was Abi thinking? Who is looking strong and steady from days 3 - 9 at the July 2020 basho.
The Basho Begins with Sumo Mainichi
22 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The basho has begun! Finally! We talk about what's happening in the sumo world and give you a break down of days 1 and 2 of the July basho. And, speci...
Getting Excited
15 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sumo latest news. Training and the storylines of the upcoming tournament. Who we're watching and why.
Do Fans Affect Sumo Wrestlers?
08 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Current news, corona virus effects, and some science behind how the presence or absence of fans affect sports.
The Dohyo, COVID-19, and Staying in Sumo Shape
01 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Breaking sumo news. How do they build a dohyo? And how is COVID affecting the upcoming tournament? We dearly hope there will be a July basho, but how...
Akebono, Cellulitis, and Tochinoshin's Bandaids
24 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Question #1: Akebono. Who is he? Question #2: Cellulitis. Why do so many wrestlers claim to have it? And, what's the link between these 2 very differ...
The Banzuke. What's a banzuke??
17 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What the heck is a banzuke? Why are there so many photos of wrestlers pointing to one? We help you make sense of it, from the way it's created to how ...
Injury, Healing, and Singing
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Will this break help or hurt sumo wrestlers? And, just what does it take to heal after injury?
Shikona, Sumo Ring Names
03 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Sumo wrestlers and their fantastic ring names. Do they decide their ring names? When and why does a sumo wrestler change his name? And, what do they m...
Wonder Woman of US Sumo, Mariah Holmes
27 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
"You can come in whatever size you are and dominate and do an amazing job." Mariah Holmes There you have it. Ladies, you are welcome in the ring in ...
Sumo and Comedy
20 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We delve into the world of comedy and sumo, a match made in heaven. Laurie and Leslie honor two wrestlers who excelled at them both, Shobushi and Byam...
Yokozuna in the Shadows
13 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, Laurie and Leslie talk about yokozunas in the shadows (insert echo effect here). We talk about great and not so great yokozunas throughout ...
US Sumo, Justin Kizzart
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever wondered what it's like to be a sumo wrestler? Ever wanted to train like one? We chat with our first sumo wrestler, fellow Texan Justin ...
The Tachiai
29 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Somehow, we discuss the latest banzuke, covid-19, obscure theatre history, the tachiai, and shaving habits of sumo wrestlers. It's a madcap of an epis...
Kanreki and the JSA
22 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
What's a Kanreki dohyo-iri and what is the Japan Sumo Association?
3 Sumo GOATs
15 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Cornona virus. Bad sumo jokes. Terrible translation. Taiho, Chiyonofuji, and Hakuho. We talk about all that, and the flat out grossest thing we've eve...
Ladies of Sumo
08 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The ladies of sumo. We look into the history of women in the sport of sumo, from the bawdy onna-zumo to the fierce female sumo werstlers of today. Yes...
Babies, Bodies and Babes
01 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This week, we talk about the Baby Crying Festival, the science behind the sumo physique, and why sumo wrestlers attract such female attention. "I've ...
March Basho Day 8 - 15
25 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Headbutts, ballet-like turns, ice skating moves, and a yokozuna showdown. We talk about everything we loved and hated about the second week of the sum...
March Basho Through Day 7
18 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The strangest sounding tournament ever. The low-down on what the gyoji are doing. Highlights on days 1 - 7 of the March sumo wrestling tournament.
Sumo Techniques
11 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We break down some sumo moves, also knows as kimarite. Suggestions for home practice included and well as a plea for more information on a Japanese do...
March 2020 Basho Preview
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The March Grand Tournament is right around the corner. We discuss what's happening this tournament, and who we are watching.
Extra NHK Charity Sumo Event
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
The NHK Charity Sumo Event happens in February each year and features interviews, wrestlers singing with celebrity singers, and sumo. It took us awhil...
Sumo Ranking
10 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Wrestlers and their social media accounts. A fierce fighter retires. And, can someone please explain all those Japanese titles to me? Especially that ...
Episode 1: Intro to Sumo Kaboom
04 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome to Sumo Kaboom! Who we are, why we are doing this, and what you need to know if you are new to sumo.