Sumo Kaboom
Sumo Kaboom!
A weekly podcast dedicated to our favorite sport - sumo wrestling. We chat about tournaments, current events, history and our favorite wrestlers.
We are performers, improvisers, and creators and have absolutely no sumo training. But, we are huge sumo fans.
Having lived in Japan, Leslie loves the history and traditions of sumo. She also has a deep love for sumo karaoke singers. Laurie is fascinated by sumo wrestler fandom, the sumo training regimen and physicality of the sport.
Together, we serve up exciting sumo treats for sumo-curious fans. We share an enthusiasm for sumo and like all sisters, we work amazingly well together. All of the time. There are never any issues. Ever.
We also occasionally send out sumo related content. It is NOT hard-hitting sumo journalism and is usually very silly. If you want to receive our writing about all things sumo or receive notification when Sumo BINGO cards are available, join our Substack below. We won't ever share your info, because we hate spam, too.
- Update frequency
- every 7 days
- Average duration
- 44 minutes
- Episodes
- 273
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
233: The Way of Sumo
After some poetry, corrections and news, we jump right into a chat with photographer and author David Rios. His book The Way of Sumo: The American Warrior's Story is available now.
To reach David Ri…
232: The Physical Toll of the Jungyo
This episode is more of a discussion about the jungyo, a recent article by John Gunning, and what changes might be made to preserve wrestlers' health.
To join our raffle (winners will be picked on H…
231: Sweet Saitama & Tottori High
CORRECTION We try our best to do thorough research, but sometimes we fail. After this episode aired, we received this correction from John Traill of the International Sumo Federation. "Ishiura's fath…
230: Onosato the Ozeki and the Hairiest Yokozuna
Heads up: there's adult humor in this episode!
There's a lot of news to cover up front - from raffles and retirements to cysts and hilariously terrible translation. But, we evenutally get to recent …
229: Our Japan Trip and BINGO
We did ALL the sumo things at the Kokugikan in Tokyo!
We stood in very neat and orderly lines. We met retired wrestlers and took photos with them. We spoke in Japanese and hilariously bungled our l…
228: September Banzuke
Talking through the most recent banzuke. Because, we can hardly remember who won the last tournament. We need reminders!
More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game:
www.sumokaboom.com
Big Sumo Fan …
227: Shirokuma and Onokatsu
Oh these two are exciting! Wanna learn more about these two?
More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game:
www.sumokaboom.com
Big Sumo Fan sponsors our BINGO game. Need sumo merch from the US? www.b…
226: Female Samurai
There were female samurai, and they were dangerous! And beautiful! And rode horses well! And were excellent spies! And rode on the front lines of battle!
We're telling you about two ladies of lore t…
225: Dai-Yokozuna
Welcome back for another sumo-related discussion, this time about what makes a dai-yokozuna. We also tell you about a shrine in Fukuoka where you can go pick up a power stone!
Many thanks to John Gu…
224: Oyakatas Part 4 - Oitekaze and Hakkaku
We never even SAID Hakkaku's ring name in this episode, but it's Hokutoumi! Learn about the coaches of Oitekaze and Hakkaku heyas. Whoa re they? Why are they notable?
Who is at Oitekaze stable? Daie…
223: Days 11-15 of the July 2024 Basho
The last 5 days of the tournament were a rollercoaster and filled with excitement. In this episode, we tell you about our 2 BINGO winners and then jump back into the sumo action. Of course, we liked …
222: July Basho Days 4 - 10
Breaking down the sumo from days 4 - 10. How is sumo consistently this good?
More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game:
www.sumokaboom.com
Big Sumo Fan sponsors our BINGO game. Need sumo merch from…
221: July Basho, Days 1 - 3
Today's discussion of sumo includes references to samurai, Barry White and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders. Go figure!
More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game:
www.sumokaboom.com
Big Sumo Fan spon…
220: The Banzuke for July 2024
Is it just me, or has it felt like FOREVER since we had a basho? Can't wait to watch this line up go for the huge trophy.
More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game:
www.sumokaboom.com
Big Sumo Fan …
219: Oyakatas Part 3 - Tokiwayama
If you want to learn more about Tokiwayama, you are in the right place. He seems to have most of the personality in the Tokiwayama stable, and he wrestled under the name Takamisugi. Listen to learn m…
218: Oyakatas Part 2 - Asakayama and Sakaigawa
You've probably seen one of these men ringside during sumo tournaments, or perhaps you've run across his IG account that features his poodles and his wrestlers. That's Kaio, or Asakayama. We didn't k…
217: Oyakatas of the Futagoyama and Arashio Stables
In today's episode, we're exploring the oyakatas, or head coaches, of two popular sumo rooms - Futagoyama and Arashio stables. Futagoyama is the stable featured on the popular Sumo Food YouTube chan…
216: What Happens After Retirement?
Leslie tackles what happens to sumo wrestlers in lower ranks after they retire. Where do they work? What businesses do they start? And how can we support them?
Laurie shouts out all the medalists at…
215: Kotoeko and a Whole Lotta Retirement Goin’ On
Kotoeko announced his retirement, and his fans are heartbroken. Akiseyama and Ishiura had their retirement ceremonies, and we are loving their new hair cuts.
Retirement is just one part of a profe…
214: Days 10-15 of the May Basho
Congratulations to our BINGO winners, Rafael (and family) and Peter, who came in super fast with BINGOs on day 11 and 13. After BINGO and a little news, we jump right into the sumo on day 10.
Enjoy…