Kids vs. Rikishi

 

Cultural News, March 2008

 

 

"Kids vs. Rikishi” will be part of the Grand Sumo event

 

 

  Grand Sumo tournaments take place in Tokyo in January, Osaka in March, Tokyo in May, Nagoya in July, and Tokyo in September, and in Fukuoka in November; totaling six major tournament a year by touring throughout Japan.

 

   In between these months, tournaments are scheduled in various other regions in an effort to widen sumo fans.

 

   The Los Angeles Grand Sumo Tournament 2008 on June 7 and 8 marks the return of these tours for the first time since 1981.

 

   Known as the “naked goodwill ambassadors,” overseas tournaments have accumulated to 13 times so far.

 

   The Los Angeles Tournament will bring not only sumo matchs but also the shokkiri show to audences. The Shokkiri would demonstrate the kinjite, or prohibited move in a comical way. In addition to the shokkiri, special event "Kids vs. Rikishi" also will be included to the pre-match event. This is the opportunity of a lifetime for children to be in the rink with a real Rikishi (sumo wrestlers).

   The numbers of children for “Kids vs. Rikishi” is limited to only 10 on both June 7 and 8. The conditions are following:

 

1)     First come first serve basis.

2)   Children must be boys, 5-10 years old and accompanied by guardian. 3)     Nihon Sumo Kyokai will provide sumo belt (Mawashi). Having swimming wear under the belt would be optional if the belt would be uncomfortable for the child.

4)     Meeting time: 3:30pm on both days. Meeting place will be announced later.

5)     To participate in this special event, A-Seat tickets must be purchased for both the child and the guardian. A-Seat tickets are $140 per person and will go on sale starting mid-March, 2008.

    To sign up, send fax to (808) 946-2239 with following information: Name of child, age, name of guardian, address, phone number. Also indicate the number of tickets the applicant purchased. Only boys are qualified to participate in this event.

   For complete information on the Los Angeles Grand Sumo Tournament 2008, visit www.sumotour.com or by contacting the Los Angeles headquarters at (213) 620-9723.