Sumo Kaboom
by Sumo Kaboom Podcast
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 w
Episodes
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323: Churanoumi Plus a Mouse Sumo Story
Churanoumi makes his sanyaku debut in November, so we decided to research him and discover a bit more about his past. Find out what makes him unique. Plus, enjoy a short holiday sumo story from Leslie. You can learn more about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at http://www.sumokaboom.com We play…
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322: Underperforming Yokozuna. Futahaguru and Yoshibayama
Today's episode is full of strange history - a yokozuna who never won a top division yusho, another yokozuna whose career was affected by war wounds, sumo arenas used for building bombs that drifted across the oceans to land in the US, wrestling, Hollywood, health issues. Odd tales. Sad tales.…
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321: Sumo Under Pressure
All sumo wrestlers deal with injury. But when you're at the top, the pressure to get back in the ring and win is enormous. Both yokozuna, Onosato and Hoshoryu, feel that pressure. Onosato's tears after his last yusho illustrate that pressure. Hoshoryu's apologies also show the pressure he's…
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320: Days 11-15 of the September Sumo Tournament
The thrill of close competition. The way it all came down to the final match. The emotions of it all. We start by reading a little something from our Sumo BINGO winners. And, then we get right to each day's sumo 11, 12, 13, 14, and 15. Did we like the basho? Of course we did. You can learn more...
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319: Days 5-10 of the September Sumo Tournament
Yeah. You could call this the Atamifuji, Aonishiki, and Fujinokawa hour, because they are all so exciting to watch! We take our sumo seriously. We seriously love it. Though all our BINGO cards have been claimed for this game, you can learn more about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at...
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318: Sumo Is Back! Days 1-4 of the September Basho
SUMO IS BACK! And, we are here to discuss it all - from bloody noses to explosive tachiais. From excellent leverage to incredible buns. We take our sumo seriously. We seriously love it. Though all our BINGO cards have been claimed for this game, you can learn more about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO...
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317: September Banzuke Overview
BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at http://www.sumokaboom.com We play Sumo BINGO every basho, and it's always free. We give away sumo merch to our winners with the help of our sponsors Big Sumo Fan and Cheeky Sumo. • http://Bigsumofan.com is an online sumo merch store based in US,...
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316: Asasuiryu and Toshinofuji
Asasuiryu likes to clean toilets daily during a basho. Toshinofuji likes Bruno Mars. I mean, could these two be any more unique? Both are new to the top division, so we took deep dives into who they are and what their stories are. Enjoy! BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at...
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315: Chiyoshoma
He's a wrestler from Mongolia, and he has connections to yokozuna Chiyonofuji. Chiyonofuji had VERY nice things to say about Chiyoshoma, and Chiyoshoma still reads notes from Chiyonofuji on his phone. He's interested in reading and fashion. Yes. Fashion. BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our…
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314: Nishikifuji. Who is he?
He's a wrestler in the Isegahama stable, and he did well in July's tournament, so what can we expect from him? We know random things about this sumo wrestler - dad of twins, friendly rival of Midorifuji and Onosho (remember him?), a guy with lots of injuries and a wonderful singing voice. At…
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313: News and a Sweet Rivalry - Wakatakakage and Ichiyamamoto
0-15:00 Sumo News. Financial bonus for rikishi, ticket price changes for Tokyo tournaments, health updates, and retirement news 15:00 - 31:00 This week, we’re revisiting a captivating sumo rivalry. The competition between Ichyyamamoto and Wakatoka Kage is as intriguing as it gets. One wrestler is...
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312: End of the July Sumo Tournament
Oh the drama. Oh the playoff of my dreams. We adored this tournament, and we know you did too. Sumo. So full of inspiration. BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at http://www.sumokaboom.com We play Sumo BINGO every basho, and it's always free. We give away sumo merch to our winners...
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311: Days 4 - 10 of the July Sumo Tournament, 2026
Shishi is he's having his best tournament yet. He has defied expectations and we are cheering him on! Another exciting rikishi - Wakanosho, who displayed his powerful thrusting techniques... until he hurt his knee. We wish him speedy healing. We honestly don't know who to root for - Aonishiki,...
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310: Days 1 - 3 of the July Basho.
We're on injury alert. We're feeling alllll the feelings. The competition is fierce, and it's only day 3. We may not make it. BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at http://www.sumokaboom.com We play Sumo BINGO every basho, and it's always free. We give away sumo merch to our winners...
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309: Banzuke Review and Wakatakakage News
Wakatakakage. Big news. We wanted to see him in the mix for July, but that's not going to happen. Find out why. Then, we quickly discuss the rest of the banzuke in preparation for the tournament starting Sunday. BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at http://www.sumokaboom.com We play...
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308: Kazuma and Daiseizan
The July banzuke came out. We are discussing Kazuma and Daiseizan, two men who join the top rank of pro sumo for the first time. The antici...pation is high. 0 - 9:00 News and listener emails 9:00 Kazuma 25:30 Daiseizan BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at http://www.sumokaboom.com...
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307: Rivalry- Hoshoryu vs Takayasu
The sumo fights between these two men are exciting - from the epic sumo staredowns to the finish - every single time. Their win/loss records against each other match right now. Find out why their history is so interesting to us. Hoshoryu holds the highest title of yokozuna currently, but Takayasu...
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306: The Paris Sumo Tour and WINS
Sumo wrestlers at the Eiffel Tower! Sumo wrestlers eating baguettes and cheese! Sumo wrestlers dancing, answering questions from French students, and shopping. It's truly all we want to see to make our hearts sing! Also, the women sumo wrestlers of the US know how to have a good time. This week...
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305: Sumo News and Kitanoumi
Listener stories, sumo news, and a bit of sumo history. Sumo is headed to France for a sumo tour, and we are awaiting all the Eiffel Tower rikishi photos. Until they start to appear on social media, we talk about Kitanoumi, the "hatefully strong yokozuna." A proper sumo fan needs to know some…
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304: Breakdown of Days 11 - 15 of the May 2026 Basho and a Wakatakakage Love Fest
The Exciting World of Sumo: Highlights from the May 2026 Basho Discover the thrilling moments from the May 2026 Basho, including poetry, bingo winners, and sumo insights. Perfect for sumo enthusiasts and newcomers alike. The Art of Sumo Poetry: Celebrating Wakatakakage One of the most fun ways to...
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303: Days 5 - 10 Breakdown of the May 2026 Basho
Days 5 - 10! Days 5 - 10! So. Many. Injuries. And ANYONE could win this one. BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at http://www.sumokaboom.com We play Sumo BINGO every basho, and it's always free. We give away sumo merch to our winners with the help of our sponsors Big Sumo Fan and...
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302: Days 1 - 4 of the May Sumo Tournament
Sumo Kaboom highlights the latest news, the best fights, and the biggest delights of pro sumo's latest sumo tournament, days 1 - 4. And, because we are who we are, sometimes we talk just as much about the judges, the injuries, the slo-mo replays, and the cleavage. A quick preview of the May…
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301: Banzuke Preview and Wakanosho
A quick preview of the May banzuke and a highlight on Wakanosho, the newest wrestler to the top division. The top of the banzuke sure looks exciting, although there are injuries aplenty. We'll see how it all plays out. BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at http://www.sumokaboom.com…
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300: A Huge Sumo-Sized Thank You
We are here because YOU are here, so this is a big thank you to YOU, the sumo community. We discuss the Rollertown Sumo Tournament and some of our favorite moments from the last 299 episodes - connections with other sumo podcasts (anyone remember Mack's erotic sumo story?), interviews, events…
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299: Onosato and Takayasu Revisited
We're reviting some fellas at the top of the banzuke. Why? Because we want to! We haven't focused on these guys in a while, and they deserve some attention. Need a reminder about why these two are so popular? This episode is for you. Plus, the latest news on injuries. BINGO! More about Sumo…
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298: Sewanin and Wakaimonogashira Do What?
When Mr. Sumo himself (Chiyomaru) retired, he became a wakaimonogashira, and we were stumped. What the heck does that mean?? This week, we jumped into the internet to discover what it means to be a wakaimonogashira or a sewanin - 2 roles that a retired wrestler can take within the JSA. Along the...
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297: Atamifuji and Kirishima Revisted
The last time we discussed Atamifuji and Kirishima in depth was 2-3 years ago, so it's time to revisit their stories and fill in some blanks. Each has much more coverage to explore, and we have a fuller picture of who they are and what's important to them. BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our...
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296: Days 10 - 15 of the March Basho
Our favorite moments of the basho. And, because we're Sumo Kaboom, of course, we also manage to talk about grief, pizza wrestling, gonorrhea, stare downs, bow ties, and more. BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at http://www.sumokaboom.com We play Sumo BINGO every basho, and it's...
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295: March Basho Days 3 -9
This March basho is as unpredictable as ever! We discuss our favorite moments from days 3 - 9 of the March, 2026 basho. BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at http://www.sumokaboom.com We play Sumo BINGO every basho, and it's always free. We give away sumo merch to our winners with…
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294: Days 1 and 2 of the March Tournament
We are watching Aonishiki's yokozuna run, Kirishima's attempt to string together 33 wins over 3 tournaments and regain his ozeki status, rising stars like Fujiseiun, Fuijiryoga, and more. There's already so much to discuss - injuries, the mirror records of our 2 yokozuna, growing rivalries,...
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293: March Sumo Preview
Lots to cover this week including sumo news, BINGO, a Sweet and Sexy Sumo banzuke, the real banzuke, and our newest wrestlers to the top division - Fujiryoga and Fujiseiun. BINGO! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at www.sumokaboom.com We play Sumo BINGO every basho, and it's always free....
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292: Yobidashi
From playing drums to managing the tournament setup, the yobidashi's work keeps sumo running smoothly. They ensure that tradition, logistics, and even plumbing are in place — all while maintaining hidden hierarchies and skills that go back centuries. It’s wild to think that they build the dohyo…
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291: Valentine's Day SWEET & SEXY Sumo Poll RESULTS 2026
Mirror, mirror on the wall, who is sexiest sumo wrestler of all? We know the answer. Sumo is sacred, seeped in history, and it's also FUN. This Valentine's Day episode features the results of our Sweet and Sexy Sumo poll, 2026. We're sharing stories, poetry, and song all submitted by listeners…
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290: The Hakuho Cup and Youth Sumo
Every Valentine's, we unofficially crown the Sexiest Sumo Wrestler of the Year and this year, we're also crowning the Sweetest Sumo Wrestler. We need YOU to vote for your choice. VOTE HERE through Valentine's Day, 2026 https://tinyurl.com/sweetandsexysumo26 In this episode, we discuss the Fuji...
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289: Terunofuji's Retirement and How to Buy Sumo Tickets
Every Valentine's, we unofficially crown the Sexiest Sumo Wrestler of the Year and this year, we're also crowning the Sweetest Sumo Wrestler. We need YOU to vote for your choice. VOTE HERE through Valentine's Day, 2026 https://tinyurl.com/sweetandsexysumo26 This week's discussion is about...
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288: Sumo Highlights from Days 9-15 of the January '26 Basho
We're chatting about the latest happenings in the world of sumo wrestling, including our own planning for our Valentine's Day episode, the announcement of bingo winners, and a detailed recap of the January 2026 tournament from days 9 to 15. We highlight key matches, performances, and the impact…
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287: Days 3 - 8 of the January Basho 2026
We're discussing days 3 - 8 of the January sumo tournament in Japan. We thank Yoshinofuji for giving us ALL the thrills on days 3 and 4, and we also want to thank Fujinokawa for being the polar opposite of Shodai. We truly need both styles of sumo. We have some small sumo calendars gifted to us…
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286: Days 1 and 2 of the January Sumo Tournament
The sumo is on, and we're watching along with you. Tell us what you are loving! We have some small sumo calendars gifted to us by @sjcurran1 on Instagram that we will give away this basho. We'll draw names from a list of anyone who has supported us over the last year. Thank you to @sjcurran1 for...
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285: Back At It 2026
Filling you in on a month of sumo news first. Then we swing to the January 2026 banzuke - the ranking chart for the sumo tournament which begins on Jan. 11th. Need a little reminder about Oho? Asanoyama? We gotcha covered. If you want to learn more about two newbies making their debut, Hatsuyama...
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284: Ozeki Aonishiki
Some behind-the-scenes stories about becoming an ozeki. From yusho to parade to party to waiting - what it is really like. We're also showing some love to our monthly supporters. Through January, 2026, we're giving away Takakeisho retirement merch. 1 prize package per month. You must be a monthly...
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283: We Loooooooooved This Basho. Days 11-15 of the November, 2025 Sumo Tournament
As far as sumo tournaments go, you can't get much better than this one. It had all the drama, so we'd like to take a few moments to tell you why we loved it. We're also showing some love to our monthly supporters. For the next 3 months, we're giving away Takakeisho retirement merch. 1 prize…
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282: What We're Loving About Days 4-10 of the November 2025 Basho
The sumo is HOT, y'all. Before we get to the sumo, we have members to thank and a little odd news to cover. But, the sumo discussion begins at minute 10:00. We're also showing some love to our monthly supporters. For the next 3 months, we're giving away Takakeisho retirement merch. 1 prize…
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281: November Basho Days 1-3
After a short discussion of BINGO and a Takakeisho merch giveaway, we jump into our favorite moments of days 1 - 3. So much to love. We're also showing some love to our monthly supporters. For the next 3 months, we're giving away Takakeisho retirement merch. 1 prize package per month. You must be…
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280: Tomokaze and Oshoumi
We talk about some very adult things in this episode. Not for kiddos.* Tomokaze and Oshoumi are both wrestling in the top division in November, 2025. Tomokaze has wrestled in makuuchi before, but he sustained a big, nasty injury. Oshoumi is brand new to this top division, but he has also battled...
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279: Spooky Sumo Stories
Turn the lights down low. Grab a mug of hot chocolate, and light a candle. It's time for silly, fun, totally made up sumo stories. We started this Halloween tradition a few years ago and will not stop. We share some listener email, quickly cover some news, and then the spookiness begins at 11:30....
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278: Sumo in London!
We talk about our favorite moments of the Grand Sumo Tournament at Royal Albert Hall, London, 2025. Spoiler! It wasn't always the sumo. Huge congratulations to the JSA and the crew in London for making this event truly wonderful. And, thank YOU for sending all your photos from the event and your...
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277: The JSA's 100th Anniversary Event and the Sumo World Championship
Lots to cover, from listener feedback to current events. Laurie covers the World Sumo Championships that happened in September in Thailand and the 17 members of the US team. Congratulations to all of the competitors! Leslie covers the JSA's 100th Celebration that was held in early October.…
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276: Days 10-15 of the Aki Basho 2025
We got our yokozuna showdown, and all is right with the world. We enjoyed this basho, and we hope you did, too. We chat BINGO winners, special prize winners, and of course, who won the Aki 2025 JSA Sumo Tournament. More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at www.sumokaboom.com We play Sumo BINGO...
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275: Days 4-9 of the Aki Basho
So much to love. Takanosho and Shodai and Ura! Hoshoryu! Onosato! Aonishiki! Needless to say, we are enjoying the Aki basho. Sumo forever! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at www.sumokaboom.com We play Sumo BINGO every basho, and it's always free. We give away sumo merch to our winners...
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274: Days 1-3 of the Aki basho
So much to love. 2 strong yokozunas. An in-form ozeki. A strong wrestler going for an ozeki promotion. Let the fun begin! More about Sumo Kaboom and our BINGO game at www.sumokaboom.com We play Sumo BINGO every basho, and it's always free. We give away sumo merch to our winners with the help of…
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About this show
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 w
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Sumo Kaboom Podcast