Canadian Sumo Hope

[Jejima 1,415]

Another oyakata that wanted him said he had ozeki potential.

Since information on the recruitment of foreigners are rather vage, I'd like to ask (without digging to deep) how many heya did he visit / try out before he was accepted by Nishikido Oyakata?

Out of previous comments, I conclude that his performances were well recieved.

I wish him all the best! Fingers crossed for a good start into his career!

Unless rules have changed recently, there is a rule of one foreigner per heya, so the number of potential heyas for him is somewhat limited.

[Jakusotsu 6,049]

Not *quite* that limited, though. By my count (and the help of SumoDB) there are currently 12 Heyas without a foreigner:

Asakayama

Dewanoumi

Hakkaku

Isenoumi

Michinoku

Nishikido

Nishonoseki

Oguruma

Onoe

Sadogatake

Tagonoura

Takadagawa

[orandashoho 720]

12 out of 40 does limit the choices, particularly if these 12 also contain heyas that don't take in any foreign-born hopefuls at all, on principle or because of other reasons -- coping with someone who has yet to learn Japanese on top of the other difficulties to adjust, for instance.

[Pica-Pica 24]

12 out of 40 does limit the choices, particularly if these 12 also contain heyas that don't take in any foreign-born hopefuls at all, on principle or because of other reasons -- coping with someone who has yet to learn Japanese on top of the other difficulties to adjust, for instance.

Are there any heyas with a strict "No foreigners need apply" policy? Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I was wondering what their reasons are for such a policy -- or at least the reasons they give publicly.

[Pica-Pica 24]

He's a lot tougher, smarter and more determined than people think.

Good luck to Brodie, and good on you, Nishinoshima, for helping him out!

[Kintamayama 45,530]

12 out of 40 does limit the choices, particularly if these 12 also contain heyas that don't take in any foreign-born hopefuls at all, on principle or because of other reasons -- coping with someone who has yet to learn Japanese on top of the other difficulties to adjust, for instance.

Are there any heyas with a strict "No foreigners need apply" policy? Not that there's anything wrong with it, but I was wondering what their reasons are for such a policy -- or at least the reasons they give publicly.

Nothing official of course, but I'm guessing Takadagawa, Dewanoumi and Isenoumi will not hire foreigners. As for the rest- Nishonoseki and Asakayama just got here, Sadogatake and Onoe are probably looking for someone at least as formidable as their latest retired foreigners. Nishikido just took Brodie in, Michinoku and Hakkaku used to have a few but maybe after the scandalous departure of Hakuba and Hoshihikari, they are on the fence for now.. Same goes for Oguruma who lost Hoshikaze (who never admitted to diving) . Tagonoura had Takanoyama from the Naruto days, so I don't know about Sideburns' view on foreigners, though I think if someone James (Worthy) may come along he will recruit him.

I wonder who the other Oyakata that wanted Brodie was. I'm guessing Sadogatake.

Edited February 11, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Raishu 208]

Another oyakata that wanted him said he had ozeki potential.

Since information on the recruitment of foreigners are rather vage, I'd like to ask (without digging to deep) how many heya did he visit / try out before he was accepted by Nishikido Oyakata?

Out of previous comments, I conclude that his performances were well recieved.

I wish him all the best! Fingers crossed for a good start into his career!

Unless rules have changed recently, there is a rule of one foreigner per heya, so the number of potential heyas for him is somewhat limited.

Sure, I was more referring to the procedure itself. Like do all interested parties gather at one heya for a try out (that could also be a stable which has a gaiin) or do applicants jump from one heya to the next.

I think Kintamayama's great analysis more or less wraps up my thoughts on who could've been interested.

Edited February 11, 2015 by Raishu

[Andreas21 188]

Only hint is it's nothing to do with Canada

Then it could refer to the blonde hair.

[Randomitsuki 2,843]

Only hint is it's nothing to do with Canada

Then it could refer to the blonde hair.

Brodi + Blondie = Buronji?

[Torabayama 51]

Prize to the person who can guess it before the announcement. Only hint is it's nothing to do with Canada

Damn, I was really hoping for 大雪嵐. (Laughing...)

Or maybe Big Maple Tree? 大楓木

Edited February 12, 2015 by Torabayama

[Jejima 1,415]

Shikihide from last basho is also available.

There are heya that don't take foreigners (university / high school) recruits because they want to teach them sumo do from a young age before amateur sumo habits have set.

The process is not set in stone and does change depending on many factors.

By the way although nothing is official the shikona is essentially decided. I know what it is and it's a great one.

Prize to the person who can guess it before the announcement. Only hint is it's nothing to do with Canada

Is it Nishinoshima?

[Kintamayama 45,530]

Prize to the person who can guess it before the announcement. Only hint is it's nothing to do with Canada

Kinpatsuyama? Mitoizumi? 金髪?　The funny thing is that 金 can be read as Cana, so not to use this letter with its double meaning of Gold and cana (da) would be a shame. It's got to be 金 something..

Edited February 12, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Akinomaki 40,790]

I go for Nishinoyama then - he's built like a mountain - but not Kintouyama - gold-head mountain - or HenDaSon 片田村 side-field village (sounding like weird village) - reading it Katadamura would be a funny shikona though.

Edited February 12, 2015 by Akinomaki

[Hakuhonofan 334]

Mitokinmo 水戸金毛? ( Yeah, very original :-P )

Edited February 12, 2015 by Hakuhonofan

[Pandaazuma 1,310]

Kintamayama? Kintamagawa?

Edited February 12, 2015 by Pandaazuma

[kuroimori 1,634]

Nishi(no)nishiki?

[kuroimori 1,634]

Nishi(no)nishiki?

Okay, seriously now:

Nishinokuni

[Itachi 396]

I'm just reading all this now - Wow!

Congratulations to Brodi and thanks to Nishinoshima for his contributions in the matter!

Recently, relative of my wife's uncle's friend, Nishikikaze retired. Now I'll throw my support behind Brodi who comes from the island where both my parents were born. Just last weekend, we drove by his hometown!

Here's my guess on the shikona.

We've been given very little in the way of clues - just that it's a great shikona and doesn't refer to Canada.

Nishikido-beya does not have a long history but its founder came from Takasago-beya where the naming convention involves the kanji, 'Asa' 朝.

There has been a lot of focus on the colour of his hair. I think 'Kin' 金can be used without directly referencing Canada.

How about Asa-Kin-Ryu ? There don't seem to be any rikishi with this shikona in the database.

朝金龍

In my opinion, a shikona this grand should be kept in reserve until the rikishi achieves some impressive goal such as reaching a sekitori rank very quickly. Maybe Brodie will use a less glorious shikona at first.

[Asashosakari 19,663]

Nishikido-beya does not have a long history but its founder came from Takasago-beya where the naming convention involves the kanji, 'Asa' 朝

That's exactly the wrong way around. Because it's already an identifying kanji for Takasago-beya, it definitely won't be used at Nishikido. Not to mention that this usage only started as a regular thing after Mitoizumi/Nishikido was active, so he has no reason to use it in the first place. Edited February 12, 2015 by Asashosakari

[Kintamayama 45,530]

When I said the shikona was great I meant in the traditional sense not in the sense that it's clever wordplay.

No 金.

Mitoizumi? Shiyofuru? Futabayama?

Edited February 12, 2015 by Kintamayama

[Chiyozakura 148]

Guessing the shikona is difficult as no Nishikido Beya has never had a Sekitori as far as I know. The only Shikona connected with the current Nishikido Beya are Mitoizumi (Nishikido Oyakata), Umenosato (Nishikido's brother) and Toki (affiliated Oyakata Sandagawa).

Or is it a connection between Nishikido and a famous rikishi like Nishikiho or Nishikimaru?

[Asameshimae 220]

I'm thinking Nishi no kuni which someone already said. Gets the Nishi for Nishikido, his Nishinoshima benefactor and of course he is from a Nishi no kuni. However, it apparently has nothing to do with Canada.

I doubt you want us to guess to much or even if you'll tell us if we got it right because that will be leaking the name... Man, I wish you hadn't asked this. The mind does wander..

[Asameshimae 220]

Nishiizumi?

"Canada in kanji is written 加奈陀 and 金 is read as kane far more often than kana so I doubt that kanji would bring anything Canadian to mind for most Japanese people."

Yes you say that, but Kana isn't that rare as a reading; and kanji often have rarer readings in names and shikona. Don't know why I am telling this to the man who already knows the decided on shikona but...

Edited February 13, 2015 by Asameshimae

[Mongolith 51]

Bit surprised that stables would rather take a risk on a young foreigner rather than focus on guys like Terunofuji or ichinojo that have the size and strength to shoot up the ranks quickly. Especially with just getting one shot to pick a winning horse. Brody seems like a good bet he obviously has the size and strength w/ a bit more refining from coaching he could be quite successful.

Edited February 13, 2015 by Mongolith

[shimodahito 317]

Tokifuji