[sumo] Classic sumo

[Mike Charlton]

On Tue, Jun 24, 2008 at 12:36 PM, Lon Howard <itsulon at wavecable.com> wrote:
> For this reason, it may be said of most foreign fans that they found sumo -
> sumo didn't find them.

Interestingly, I think I'm an exception.  My first introduction to sumo was
during a jungyo to London in 1992 (I think...).  I was living there at the
time.  I turned on the television and there it was.  I sat and watched
the whole thing, absolutely glued to the set.

At the time I had no interest in either Japanese culture, nor martial arts.
For about 10 years I never saw it again.  I had no idea how I could
see it or follow it.  But it must have triggered something in me because
I eventually started learning Japanese martial arts.  And then I started
learning the Japanese language.

To help with my language studies, I ordered TV Japan.  And while
it was being set up (I kid you not) -- there it was.  A sumo broadcast
right in my living room.

Now I'm actually living in Japan :-)  Somehow sumo didn't just find me.
It stalked me, hunted me down, grabbed me by the mawashi and
didn't let go!  What would I be doing now if not for a chance encounter
with sumo in London England of all places...

            MikeC