May Tournament Day 2 - GRAND SUMO Highlights
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Japan Times
8 hours ago
- Japan Times
Is sumo becoming a victim of its own popularity?
For veteran sports commentators, whether on air, in print or online, becoming the embodiment of the 'Old Man Yells at Cloud' meme is a growing risk that must be assiduously avoided. When you work in a sport that undergoes a sea change, such as the move from amateur to professional status or a systematic restructuring of the ruling organization, the danger of leaning on cliches and nostalgic "in my day" takes only increases. Sumo is now facing a similar transformation with its fan experience. Sorting through what the changes mean requires not just careful examination on the part of commentators, but also patience, as some of the long-term effects won't be known for years. However, it's already quite clear that while the national sport in 2025 is more accessible than at any time in the past — particularly for those who don't speak Japanese — fans and tourists alike are all too often getting an experience that pales in comparison to what was previously possible. Unfortunately, with much of Japan struggling to handle a massive surge of inbound tourism that shows no signs of abating, the situation is only likely to worsen in the years to come. In the wake of the closed-door and restricted-access tournaments that were a feature of the COVID-19 pandemic, sumo experienced a rebound in ticket sales as fans flocked back to a sport they hadn't been able to experience in person. Those ticket sales then received further boosts from a succession of thrilling tournaments and the rise of several young Japanese stars. Same-day unreserved seats, purchasable at the arena, became a victim of sumo's increased popularity, as did the sought-after book of such tickets that allowed access for all 15 days and cost just ¥20,000. Both changes were a blow to the friends, family and fans of lower-division wrestlers. Cheap same-day tickets afforded many of those supporters an opportunity to visit the arena early in the morning and cheer on their favorite rikishi before heading to work. All in-person ticket sales at the Kokugikan eventually ceased, with online and other offsite sales now the primary method of distribution. A gradual tightening of the rules has also made it increasingly difficult for fans based outside Japan to purchase tickets. Without a Japanese address and phone number the options in 2025 for anyone hoping to purchase tickets from abroad are extremely limited. Even for residents it's no easy task, and the number of complaints about not being able to secure seats increases with every tournament. Adding to fans' chagrin is that third-party resellers or tour agencies appear to have no difficulties in obtaining tickets and selling them at large markups or as part of package tours that only allow entry from the late afternoon. Los Angeles Dodgers players attend a sumo show in Tokyo in March 2025. | JOHN GUNNING In the past, one consolation for fans unable to attend a tournament was the relatively easy and free access to sumo stables to watch training sessions. As recently as three or four years ago it was simply a matter of calling a stable the evening before to check if there would be training the following morning. In many if not most cases, a visitor to asa-geiko (morning practice) outside of tournament periods would often be the only nonmember of that stable in attendance. Now it's difficult to find a training session that isn't swamped with tourists, many of whom paid exorbitant sums to agencies but were given few — if any — guidelines about what is or isn't acceptable behavior when watching practice. With an ever-increasing demand for sumo, it appears as if simulated training sessions that take place later in the day will become increasingly prominent. While such sessions have existed for years, they were normally only conducted during filming for TV shows or as occasional special events for guests. Going forward there is a far greater possibility that when tourists sign up for sumo training tours they will be seeing a watered down and shorter version tailored to those with minimal knowledge of the sport. That's already the experience for many visitors to Tokyo and Osaka who unknowingly, or through lack of options, sign up for a growing number of sumo experiences or shows featuring former rikishi. While such shows allow a far greater number of people to have at least some kind of interaction with sumo, helped by including explanations in English, they often have the unmistakable feel of a tourist trap with the over-the-top audience participation that involves dressing up in "sumo suits" and plastic wigs. Made-for-tourist experiences aren't inherently a bad thing. Smiling faces in videos and positive reviews show that the growing range of easy-to-access sumo shows and tours are not only meeting a growing demand but also providing a satisfying experience in most cases. Still, it's hard to avoid comparisons with those dressed as centurions at the Colosseum in Rome, or the tip-seeking people in Statue of Liberty costumes in New York City. Tourist-focused sumo tours, events and experiences have their place and they have certainly increased access — at least of a kind — to Japan's national sport. Unfortunately, however, those diluted versions are increasingly becoming the only option for anyone wishing to experience sumo, with long-time supporters — especially those based abroad — finding it harder and harder to interact with the real thing.
Japan Times
8 hours ago
- Japan Times
Welsh winger Rees-Zammit felt he was wasting talent during NFL stint
Rugby star Louis Rees-Zammit said he felt he was wasting his talent during his NFL stint with the Kansas City Chiefs and Jacksonville Jaguars but has no regrets about pursuing the American football adventure. The Welsh winger signed with the Bristol Bears for the 2025-26 Premiership Rugby season on Thursday, marking his return to union after an 18-month stint in the NFL. The 24-year-old had joined the Chiefs in March last year after impressing scouts at the NFL International Player Pathway. However, the four-time Super Bowl champions left him off their roster for the 2024 season. He later joined the Jaguars, first as part of their practice squad last August and then on their active roster in February, before opting to return to rugby union last month. "I just felt like I was kind of wasting my talent out there," he told British media on Tuesday. "I gave it my best shot but it's very difficult to get into the NFL if you haven't gone through the college system, you just don't get the same opportunities as those boys. "It makes sense from a coach's point of view, because those boys have been playing that sport for so long and it's hard to coach someone up on the sport they've never played before." Despite leaving the NFL having never played in a regular-season game, Rees-Zammit said he had no regrets about giving it a shot and that he had learned so much from the likes of Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes and tight end Travis Kelce. "Just to be involved in a locker room that was completely different to rugby, next to global figures like Mahomes and Kelce, I learned from everything they did day to day," he added. "There's no regrets. I'm very happy that I made the decision because would I regret it if I never did it? That's the biggest regret."
Japan Times
a day ago
- Japan Times
Global soccer players' union urges India to revive top league
The global soccer players' union on Tuesday called on India to swiftly revive its top-tier competition, saying the "escalating uncertainty" was affecting the livelihoods of national players and staff. The fate of the Indian Super League (ISL), which is usually played between September and April, hangs by a thread, with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) so far unable to come up with a revival plan. A rights agreement between the AIFF and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL), the company that runs the ISL, ends on Dec. 8 and is yet to be renewed, leaving thousands of players and staff in danger of losing their jobs. FIFPRO Asia/Oceania — the international voice of professional footballers in the region — said it was deeply concerned by the uncertainty clouding the league. The situation was having a "significant impact" on the players' "livelihoods, careers, and wellbeing," it said in a statement. "Players have been subjected to unilateral and unlawful suspensions of their employment contracts until further notice," it added. FIFPRO Asia/Oceania pressed the AIFF, FSDL and club owners to "confirm the ISL season schedule and establish a clear road map for the season to commence." Talks to renew the 2010 agreement ended abruptly after India's Supreme Court asked the AIFF to hold the deal over a separate case involving a new constitution for the federation. The league has been paralyzed by uncertainty since, affecting over 5,000 players, coaches, staff and other stakeholders. Together with the Football Players' Association of India (FPAI), FIFPRO has raised the matter with the world body — FIFA — and the Asian Football Confederation. Top club Mohun Bagan recently refused to release its players for India's training camp ahead of the CAFA Nations Cup starting this month, accusing the AIFF of "negligence" over player welfare. Three ISL clubs, including former champions Bengaluru FC, have stopped paying the salaries of players and staff, citing a lack of clarity over the future of the tournament. Former India midfielder Khalid Jamil was this month appointed coach of the men's team, which has plummeted to 133rd in the FIFA rankings — its lowest placing in nearly a decade.
