2016 Japanese College Sumo thread

[robnplunder 975]

Anyone following Japanese College Sumo? Do you have college rikishis you follow? Who are likely to turn pro, and do well, and why? Who are doing well? Which college has the best team?

( I have been watching them on YouTube but without English translation/sub-title, it's hard to put names to the faces. )

Edited May 21, 2016 by robnplunder

[mikawa 1,794]

Anyone following Japanese College Sumo? Do you have college rikishis you follow? Who are likely to turn pro, and do well, and why? Who are doing well? Which college has the best team?

One person definitely worth watching out for is a 1st year student at Toyo Univesity named Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅). Having dominated the High School sumo scene for the past 2 years (High School Yokozuna for 2 years in a row), he's already won a title at university, the 67th East Japan (New) Student Sumo Championships, earlier this month.

Because of him (and a few other talented rikishi, including former Wanpaku Yokozuna, Shinpo Kyoya), Toyo University are currently a force to be reckoned with, alongside traditional powerhouses such as Nihon University and Nippon Sport Science University. Current 4th years who will likely do well over the next year include Osanai Riki (小山内 力樹) and Muramatsu Yusuke (村松 裕介), both former Wanpaku Yokozunae, both having already made a name for themselves at University level.

Edited June 9, 2016 by mikawa

[robnplunder 975]

Anyone following Japanese College Sumo? Do you have college rikishis you follow? Who are likely to turn pro, and do well, and why? Who are doing well? Which college has the best team?

One person definitely worth watching out for is a 1st year student at Toyo Univesity named Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅). Having dominated the High School sumo scene for the past 2 years (High School Yokozuna for 2 years in a row), he's already won a title at university, the 67th East Japan (New) Student Sumo Championships, earlier this month.

Because of him (and a few other talented rikishi, including former Wanpaku Yokozuna, Shinpo Kyoya), Toyo University are currently a force to be reckoned with, alongside traditional powerhouses such as Nihon University and Nippon Sport Science University. Current 4th years who will likely do well over the next year include Osanai Riki (小山内 力樹) and Muramatsu Yusuke (村松 裕介), both former Wanpaku Yokozunae, both having already made a name for themselves at University level.

Thanks for the info.

In Japan (Nippon) Univiersity team, what is the name of the skinny, shaven, muscular wrestler? He usually plays the 1st match in team competition and does well despite his size (lack of).

Edited May 24, 2016 by robnplunder

[mikawa 1,794]

Anyone following Japanese College Sumo? Do you have college rikishis you follow? Who are likely to turn pro, and do well, and why? Who are doing well? Which college has the best team?

One person definitely worth watching out for is a 1st year student at Toyo Univesity named Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅). Having dominated the High School sumo scene for the past 2 years (High School Yokozuna for 2 years in a row), he's already won a title at university, the 67th East Japan (New) Student Sumo Championships, earlier this month.

Because of him (and a few other talented rikishi, including former Wanpaku Yokozuna, Shinpo Kyoya), Toyo University are currently a force to be reckoned with, alongside traditional powerhouses such as Nihon University and Nippon Sport Science University. Current 4th years who will likely do well over the next year include Osanai Riki (小山内 力樹) and Muramatsu Yusuke (村松 裕介), both former Wanpaku Yokozunae, both having already made a name for themselves at University level.

Thanks for the info.

In Japan (Nippon) Univiersity team, what is the name of the skinny, shaven, muscular wrestler? He usually plays the 1st match in team competition and does well despite his size (lack of).

For the past year, Japan University team's starting rikishi is called Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴), a former Middle School Yokozuna. He is very very skilled (I'd say he's on the same level as Sato).

Here's a clip of Furukawa Haruki in action in a documentary produced by National Geographic. He famously defeated the second favourite of that year's competition, Nagao Yuki (aka Tochiseiryu in Makushita), in the first round. The bout is from 2:38:

Edited June 18, 2016 by mikawa

[robnplunder 975]

For the past year, Japan University team's starting rikishi is called Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴), a former Middle School Yokozuna. He is very very skilled (I'd say he's on the same level as Sato).

Here's a clip of Furukawa Haruki in action in a documentary produced by National Geographic. He famously defeated the second favourite of that year's competition, Nagao Yuki (aka Tochiseiryu in Makushita), in the first round. The bout is from 2:38:

I think I recognize him on the video.

Didn't he do better last year? In videos posted in May 2016, he lost a few more bouts than I expected of him. He has a lot of swagger though.

Didn't Kinkai University lose a few seniors? I remember them having an excellent team but not probably this year. Of course, I am operating on very limited info here.

[mikawa 1,794]

For the past year, Japan University team's starting rikishi is called Furukawa Haruki (古川 晴貴), a former Middle School Yokozuna. He is very very skilled (I'd say he's on the same level as Sato).

Here's a clip of Furukawa Haruki in action in a documentary produced by National Geographic. He famously defeated the second favourite of that year's competition, Nagao Yuki (aka Tochiseiryu in Makushita), in the first round. The bout is from 2:38:

I think I recognize him on the video.

Didn't he do better last year? In videos posted in May 2016, he lost a few more bouts than I expected of him. He has a lot of swagger though.

Didn't Kinkai University lose a few seniors? I remember them having an excellent team but not probably this year. Of course, I am operating on very limited info here.

As expected of a rikishi from Kumamoto? :-)

Kindai University had 3 very talented members join Ozumo recently, namely Ikegawa Yuki (池川 勇気), Ishibashi Hiroki (石橋 広暉) and Tamaki Kazuma (玉木 一嗣磨), and all 3 have had good results since turning pro. During the Natsu Basho that's just gone by, Ishibashi got Jun-Yusho for Sandanme, while Tamaki and Ikegawa won the Jonidan and Jonokuchi Yushos respectively.

Edited June 9, 2016 by mikawa

[robnplunder 975]

Kinki University had 3 very talented members join Ozumo recently, namely Ikegawa Yuki (池川 勇気), Ishibashi Hiroki (石橋 広暉) and Tamaki Kazuma (玉木 一嗣磨), and all 3 have had good results since turning pro. During the Natsu Basho that's just gone by, Ishibashi got Jun-Yusho for Sandanme, while Tamaki and Ikegawa won the Jonidan and Jonokuchi Yushos respectively.

Yes, I have been checking on their and other college graduates' progress. Those who join Ozumo all seem to do well right out of the gate. But I am guessing majority of college rikishis don't join Ozumo.

[mikawa 1,794]

Kinki University had 3 very talented members join Ozumo recently, namely Ikegawa Yuki (池川 勇気), Ishibashi Hiroki (石橋 広暉) and Tamaki Kazuma (玉木 一嗣磨), and all 3 have had good results since turning pro. During the Natsu Basho that's just gone by, Ishibashi got Jun-Yusho for Sandanme, while Tamaki and Ikegawa won the Jonidan and Jonokuchi Yushos respectively.

Yes, I have been checking on their and other college graduates' progress. Those who join Ozumo all seem to do well right out of the gate. But I am guessing majority of college rikishis don't join Ozumo.

Hopefully more college rikishi will join Ozumo in the future, now that they can start from Sandanme 100TD instead of from Maezumo :-)

A college rikishi-turned sekitori recently commented that after they reach a high enough level (Maegashira), it takes them a while to get used to the kind of sumo required at that level, needing a better stamina and endurance, and bouts stretching over 15 days (as opposed to college sumo, where tournaments are knockout competitions, so the tachi-ai is much more important, and so bouts are usually decided very quickly).

Edited June 3, 2016 by mikawa

[robnplunder 975]

Osanai Riki (小山内 力樹) won the 6/5 2016 tournament (East Japan Student Sumo tournament - my translation of Kanji). Question: how does one gets College Yokozuna title? What tournaments, how many does one have to win?

Japan University team was runner up on 6/5 tournament. That team seems to be very deep in talent. There is even a 198 cm Mongolian rikishi, Barudandau (again, my translation of Katakana). He seems to have size and agility to grow into a formidable rikishi.

[mikawa 1,794]

Osanai Riki (小山内 力樹) won the 6/5 2016 tournament (East Japan Student Sumo tournament - my translation of Kanji). Question: how does one gets College Yokozuna title? What tournaments, how many does one have to win?

Japan University team was runner up on 6/5 tournament. That team seems to be very deep in talent. There is even a 198 cm Mongolian rikishi, Barudandau (again, my translation of Katakana). He seems to have size and agility to grow into a formidable rikishi.

At least that's one prediction coming true :-)

The title of College Yokozuna is awarded to the winner of the annual All Japan Student Sumo Championships, which features mostly University students, with some High School rikishi mixed in.

I'll post a thread shortly on today's tournament.

Edited June 9, 2016 by mikawa

[kedevash 43]

Very interesting thread ! I wonder where you see ama sumo on sumo. Do you have some links for me to watch?

[mikawa 1,794]

Very interesting thread ! I wonder where you see ama sumo on sumo. Do you have some links for me to watch?

Some tournaments (such as the Hakuho Cup and the Wanpaku Tournament) have live streams on nicovideo.jp; for most other competitions, you can search for 相撲 on YouTube and see what's available (or you can check the forum for videos).

Edited June 9, 2016 by mikawa

[robnplunder 975]

Osanai Riki (小山内 力樹) won the 6/5 2016 tournament (East Japan Student Sumo tournament - my translation of Kanji). Question: how does one gets College Yokozuna title? What tournaments, how many does one have to win?

Japan University team was runner up on 6/5 tournament. That team seems to be very deep in talent. There is even a 198 cm Mongolian rikishi, Barudandau (again, my translation of Katakana). He seems to have size and agility to grow into a formidable rikishi.

At least that's one prediction coming true :-)

The title of College Yokozuna is awarded to the winner of the annual All Japan Student Sumo Championships, which features mostly University students, with some High School rikishi mixed in.

I wish it was based on the entire year's performance. The current system may end up rewarding a rikishi who got hot on one tournament.

[Katooshu 3,221]

Very interesting thread ! I wonder where you see ama sumo on sumo. Do you have some links for me to watch?

This channel has many videos, both recent and from several years back (for example, there is footage of Takekaze and Tochinoshin competing as amateurs more than 10 years ago).

https://www.youtube.com/user/snpphoto

[mikawa 1,794]

Osanai Riki (小山内 力樹) won the 6/5 2016 tournament (East Japan Student Sumo tournament - my translation of Kanji). Question: how does one gets College Yokozuna title? What tournaments, how many does one have to win?

Japan University team was runner up on 6/5 tournament. That team seems to be very deep in talent. There is even a 198 cm Mongolian rikishi, Barudandau (again, my translation of Katakana). He seems to have size and agility to grow into a formidable rikishi.

At least that's one prediction coming true :-)

The title of College Yokozuna is awarded to the winner of the annual All Japan Student Sumo Championships, which features mostly University students, with some High School rikishi mixed in.

I wish it was based on the entire year's performance. The current system may end up rewarding a rikishi who got hot on one tournament.

Well, I have seen someone on the internet compile a banzuke for High School and University, based on their performances throughout the entire year. I'll try to transfer that into English here :-)

[kedevash 43]

Thank you for all the link.

I find a wonderfull channel on youtube that feature a LOT of amateur sumo. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLRnhJbHoO0w4eAMwrJ__2g


I have some question about Amateur Yokozuna.

Amateur yokozuna was award to the winner of the all-Japan sumo championship. Is it the only tournement to become amateur yokozuna?

College yokozuna is award to the winner of the all-Japan Student sumo championship.

And for the younger one like High school, junior High and primary shcool. Is there a specific championship to win or is there many other one?

[mikawa 1,794]

I have some question about Amateur Yokozuna.

Amateur yokozuna was award to the winner of the all-Japan sumo championship. Is it the only tournement to become amateur yokozuna?

College yokozuna is award to the winner of the all-Japan Student sumo championship.

And for the younger one like High school, junior High and primary shcool. Is there a specific championship to win or is there many other one?

Here's a list of the major yokozuna titles in amateur sumo, and the tournaments in which the titles can be earned. Each title corresponds to a specific tournament:

Amateur Yokozuna - win the annual All Japan Sumo Championships

• Currently Turbold (トゥルボルド)

College Yokozuna - win the annual All Japan Student Sumo Championships

• Currently Kurokawa Kojiro (黒川 宏次朗)

High School Yokozuna - win the annual National Inter-High School Championships (sumo section)

• Currently Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅)

Middle School Yokozuna - win the annual National Middle School Sumo Championships

• Currently Kamiyama Ryuichi (神山 龍一)

Primary School Yokozuna - win the annual National Primary School Sumo Championships (one each for Grade 4 or lower / Grade 5 / Grade 6)

• Currently Ichikizaki Daisuke (市来崎 大祐) / Uchida Kyota (内田 京汰) / Kawazoe Fuma (川副 楓馬)

Wanpaku Yokozuna - win the annual Wanpaku Sumo Championships (one each for Grade 4 / Grade 5 / Grade 6)

• Currently Yamashita Shosuke (山下 昇介) / Narita Rikido (成田 力道) / Hamaguchi Hayato (濱口 颯翔)

Edited June 12, 2016 by mikawa

[kedevash 43]

Thank you for the complete information!

Is the grade 4 ; 5 and 6 for primary shcool and wanpaku are the same ages categories? I think that wanpaku are even younger than primary school but i m not sure.

Lately, i try to follow closely the amateur scene but the reading of the name and university, company or school give me so much trouble.

Very interesting to see how wrestlers evolve when they grow !

[mikawa 1,794]

Is the grade 4 ; 5 and 6 for primary shcool and wanpaku are the same ages categories? I think that wanpaku are even younger than primary school but i m not sure.

Lately, i try to follow closely the amateur scene but the reading of the name and university, company or school give me so much trouble.

Very interesting to see how wrestlers evolve when they grow !

Yes, the age categories for wanpaku are the same as the primary school championships, with the primary school competition taking place in December, whereas wanpaku takes place at the start of August. In fact, the primary school championships may feature kids who are still in Grade 3 (or even in Grade 2, as was the case with Kodama Hayato).

The kids at wanpaku may seem to be younger than the primary school championships because of the number of competing rikishi (about 131 in each year group for the wanpaku finals compared to just 32 in each year group for the primary school competition). Also, the primary school championships only feature kids who are members of a sumo club/dojo, whereas the kids at wanpaku are from all sorts of backgrounds (such as judo, wrestling etc), not just sumo.

Edited June 13, 2016 by mikawa

[robnplunder 975]

Is the grade 4 ; 5 and 6 for primary shcool and wanpaku are the same ages categories? I think that wanpaku are even younger than primary school but i m not sure.

Lately, i try to follow closely the amateur scene but the reading of the name and university, company or school give me so much trouble.

Very interesting to see how wrestlers evolve when they grow !

Yes, the age categories for wanpaku are the same as the primary school championships, with the primary school competition taking place in December, whereas wanpaku takes place at the start of August. In fact, the primary school championships may feature kids who are still in Grade 3 (or even in Grade 2, as was the case with Kodama Hayato).

The kids at wanpaku may seem to be younger than the primary school championships because of the number of competing rikishi (about 131 in each year group for the wanpaku finals compared to just 32 in each year group for the primary school competition). Also, the primary school championships only feature kids who are members of a sumo club/dojo, whereas the kids at wanpaku are from all sorts of backgrounds (such as judo, wrestling etc), not just sumo.

Saw 40th Wanpaku sumo competition on YouTube. I (and others) loved it. Very cute. Boys were quite serious but the girls seem to have fun even in losing. Surely, there are future college rikishis among them.

I had to find the definition for "wanpaku." To the best of my understanding, it means mischievous little kid. I think the term fits the competition.

Edited June 13, 2016 by robnplunder

[mikawa 1,794]

Is the grade 4 ; 5 and 6 for primary shcool and wanpaku are the same ages categories? I think that wanpaku are even younger than primary school but i m not sure.

Lately, i try to follow closely the amateur scene but the reading of the name and university, company or school give me so much trouble.

Very interesting to see how wrestlers evolve when they grow !

Yes, the age categories for wanpaku are the same as the primary school championships, with the primary school competition taking place in December, whereas wanpaku takes place at the start of August. In fact, the primary school championships may feature kids who are still in Grade 3 (or even in Grade 2, as was the case with Kodama Hayato).

The kids at wanpaku may seem to be younger than the primary school championships because of the number of competing rikishi (about 131 in each year group for the wanpaku finals compared to just 32 in each year group for the primary school competition). Also, the primary school championships only feature kids who are members of a sumo club/dojo, whereas the kids at wanpaku are from all sorts of backgrounds (such as judo, wrestling etc), not just sumo.

Saw 40th Wanpaku sumo competition on YouTube. I (and others) loved it. Very cute. Boys were quite serious but the girls seem to have fun even in losing. Surely, there are future college rikishis among them.

Girls? Must be one of the regional qualifiers then :-)

[robnplunder 975]

20160717 大学相撲金沢大会 個人決勝戦 三輪（日体大）-城山（東洋大）

snpphoto posted the above in youtube. I believe the winner (Seiyama?) is just a freshman. He can probably turn pro now and do well. Would he turn pro if he becomes a college yokuzuna?

From what I have seen so far, this year's crop seem to be taking turns in winning college tournament. I.e., there is no dominant rikishi, is there?

[mikawa 1,794]

20160717 大学相撲金沢大会 個人決勝戦 三輪（日体大）-城山（東洋大）

snpphoto posted the above in youtube. I believe the winner (Seiyama?) is just a freshman. He can probably turn pro now and do well. Would he turn pro if he becomes a college yokuzuna?

From what I have seen so far, this year's crop seem to be taking turns in winning college tournament. I.e., there is no dominant rikishi, is there?

He's the 2-time high school yokozuna, Shiroyama Seira (城山 聖羅), He just started college this year, and has already been making his mark. His name will be propping up quite a few times over the next few years, certainly a candidate for college / amateur yokozuna in 2-3 years' time.

[robnplunder 975]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NY0Dxd9KM4 - any weight

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gw9Fmr4Jmc - 135kg and above.  

It seems to me that 135kg and above division is loaded with the top players vs any weight division.  I would have thought the any weight division would be the strongest division.   Did I miss something?

 

[robnplunder 975]

 

Seems like a sumo club (as opposed to team) tournament.   I didn't see top players but I saw one as shinpan/judge. 

 

Edited November 29, 2016 by robnplunder