yutarotanaka 104 Posted December 28, 2018 A new sumo related program on NHK WORLD-JAPAN has just been unveiled. It's called GRAND SUMO Review. It first aired earlier today, 28th of December 2018. I'm going to catch the 2nd (replay) broadcast in a few hours. I've been a program monitor for NHK WORLD-JAPAN for almost two years now and when I monitor one of their sumo programs like GRAND SUMO Preview, GRAND SUMO Highlights or GRAND SUMO Live, I've sometimes suggested creating another program after the tournament to recap it and provide insight to the events that happened in it. A 'GRAND SUMO Review' as I coined it in one of my reports. Apparently, my comments and suggestions did not go unnoticed by the show runners and producers of NHK WORLD-JAPAN and decided to give it a go. Hopefully, this would be a regular thing during the even numbered months so we can get our sumo fix when honbasho is on break. Will provide additional information later on what the show's format is and what contents and topics were discussed. Or better yet, just watch it on NHK WORLD-JAPAN's website for free. They stream all of their programs live and I'm guessing it will be available on 'Video On Demand' some time after the 4th broadcast. 7 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yutarotanaka 104 Posted December 28, 2018 (edited) So I just finished watching GRAND SUMO Review a while ago. It's basically the same format as the GRAND SUMO Preview program they have days before each honbasho. For this edition though, it covers a larger time frame as it reviewed sumo for the whole of 2018. Features included a recap of the winners from each of the honbashos, a piece on Onosho's rivalry with Takakeisho, Raja putting his body on the line again in analyzing the sumo technique 'Yorikiri' with special guest former Ozeki Kotoōshū and the panel's forecast of sumo in 2019. It was a fun way to end the sumo year as you got to relive the amazing happenings that sent waves in the sumo world that included having three first time yusho winners. Like a said in my previous post, I hope this program will be eventually made into a regular program during sumo honbasho off months so sumo fans will still get a bit of coverage of what is happening in the world of sumo. Edited December 28, 2018 by yutarotanaka 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,904 Posted December 28, 2018 (edited) That's right, the Preview show is on VOD a day or so after its broadcast run. Likewise, the daily videos for the basho show up with about a two-day delay. Edit: Just watched it on VOD 5 AM EST 12/28. Informative but hilarious report on yorikiri. Edited December 28, 2018 by Yamanashi new info 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
yutarotanaka 104 Posted December 28, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, Yamanashi said: Edit: Just watched it on VOD 5 AM EST 12/28. Informative but hilarious report on yorikiri. That was fast! The NHK WORLD-JAPAN website already has the program available on VOD even before they've finished the usual four times of broadcasting it. Yeah. The program has a bit more relaxed tone than the preview show. There are lots more fun moments here in my opinion. I was hoping though that they included (or include in future editions of the program) discussions about some of the controversies and scandals that hit the world of sumo. I think the program tries to have positive vibe about it but I think they should balance it out by being transparent enough to deal with these serious events so that the sumo community and the fans can have some more open discussions about problems plaguing sumo. Perhaps come up with some constructive criticisms and suggestions. Edited December 28, 2018 by yutarotanaka 3 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benihana 1,937 Posted December 28, 2018 Fantastic format. Sumo coverage by NHK is improving a lot lately. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Getayukata 119 Posted December 29, 2018 Thank you Yutarotanaka for bringing this program to our attention. I really enjoyed it! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
since_94 650 Posted December 29, 2018 No mention of Harumafuji. I should think a Yokozuna’s retirement would warrant a mention, out of respect for his contribution to the sport if nothing else, even if they wanted to skip the lurid details to maintain the positive vibe. Easy to see Murray would have loved to prognosticate about Kisenosato’s looming retirement but they obviously told him to tone it down. Enjoyed the program anyway, helps build the excitement for January 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fukurou 534 Posted January 2, 2019 (edited) Thank you for promoting this! I especially liked the piece explaining Yorikiri. That gaburi-yori technique is certainly an eye-opener to watch. Kotooshu-oyakata looked like he was enjoying the whole thing, especially tossing Raja Pradhan around as if it was a children's sumo thing. Even demonstration-rikishi Oshozan got in on that act (I guess that means he's likely to take part in the coming basho (he withdrew after day 1 in November)). I'd like to see this repeated, either after the next basho or at the end of next year. Gosh, Kotooshu is either much taller than I thought or Raja is very short (a hobbit? Shame on you John! Or was that Murray? Both?! ) Edited January 2, 2019 by Fukurou Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yamanashi 3,904 Posted January 2, 2019 4 hours ago, Fukurou said: Thank you for promoting this! I especially liked the piece explaining Yorikiri. That gaburi-yori technique is certainly an eye-opener to watch. Kotooshu-oyakata looked like he was enjoying the whole thing, especially tossing Raja Pradhan around as if it was a children's sumo thing. Even demonstration-rikishi Oshozan got in on that act (I guess that means he's likely to take part in the coming basho (he withdrew after day 1 in November)). I'd like to see this repeated, either after the next basho or at the end of next year. Gosh, Kotooshu is either much taller than I thought or Raja is very short (a hobbit? Shame on you John! Or was that Murray? Both?! ) It's probably both. Kotooshu-Naruto is 203 cm (6'8"). Oshozan is only 167 cm (5'6") and seemed to be taller than Raja. At least we now know that Oshozan was not knocked out of the last basho by an NHK announcer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,529 Posted January 2, 2019 On 28/12/2018 at 16:33, Benihana said: Fantastic format. Sumo coverage by NHK is improving a lot lately. You mean NHK World. improving? It was virtually non-existent a year ago. And they still don't show all the bouts, which is totally disrespectful IMHO. OTOH, the showcases are excellent and the availability and of course the quality is perfect. I'm pretty sure they finally awakened a while ago and decided to dive into this for reasons I do not wish to discuss. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Eikokurai 3,437 Posted January 2, 2019 38 minutes ago, Kintamayama said: You mean NHK World. improving? It was virtually non-existent a year ago. And they still don't show all the bouts, which is totally disrespectful IMHO. OTOH, the showcases are excellent and the availability and of course the quality is perfect. I'm pretty sure they finally awakened a while ago and decided to dive into this for reasons I do not wish to discuss. They definitely need to be faster though. For me, the NHK daily highlights are my backup if your videos (or others) don’t become available in China and I can’t get on YouTube. But they’re very much a last resort because they are always a day behind. I assume there are licensing complications that prevent them making the footage available right away. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Benihana 1,937 Posted January 2, 2019 6 hours ago, Kintamayama said: It was virtually non-existent a year ago. Well, from non-existent to ~25% your level is quite an improvement. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
specialweek 2 136 Posted January 3, 2019 15 hours ago, Kintamayama said: You mean NHK World. improving? It was virtually non-existent a year ago. And they still don't show all the bouts, which is totally disrespectful IMHO. OTOH, the showcases are excellent and the availability and of course the quality is perfect. I'm pretty sure they finally awakened a while ago and decided to dive into this for reasons I do not wish to discuss. Having never thought about it or timed them, how long are your daily digests Kinta? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,529 Posted January 3, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, specialweek 2 said: Having never thought about it or timed them, how long are your daily digests Kinta? Around 15 minutes, give or take a minute. Theirs are 23 minutes and still they don't show all the bouts. Edited January 3, 2019 by Kintamayama 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
specialweek 2 136 Posted January 3, 2019 3 hours ago, Kintamayama said: Around 15 minutes, give or take a minute. Theirs are 23 minutes and still they don't show all the bouts. Slo mo would be the reason. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kintamayama 45,529 Posted January 3, 2019 1 hour ago, specialweek 2 said: Slo mo would be the reason. I'd say each slomo is worth 2 bouts in real time. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. Someone doesn't think Daiamami et al are worth it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Morty 1,505 Posted January 4, 2019 Thanks for making me aware of this show, I really enjoyed it Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
