Last weekend, I went to SUMO + SUSHI in Brooklyn, hosted by former ozeki Konishiki, and it was an awesome time!
I have additional photos to share from my time at the event, but before I get to that, I want to share some SUMO STATISTICS on Konishiki’s time as a pro in the sumo world. As per usual, my stats come from the Sumo Database, and my spreadsheet will be downloadable (for free!) on this post.
Konishiki’s Kimarite
I’m a kimarite-focused person, so let’s take a look:
Yorikiri and oshidashi tend to be the top two kimarite of most rikishi, but usually it’s boring to look at them for rikishi, and it’s not for Konishiki.
It’s easy to see why not.
Dude was massive.
He topped out at 285 kg on the Sumo DB page which is 628 pounds.
There is a notorious picture of Konishiki getting ready to take on a much smaller opponent, and I didn’t realize it was from a special event in England.
Both yorikiri and oshidashi involves getting the opponent out of the ring. Yorikiri involves keeping hands on the belt (mawashi). Oshidashi is mainly shoving — that is, contact is broken as the opponent leaves the ring.
Almost half of Konishiki’s wins came from him holding the other guy’s belt and forcing him out of the ring. Yorikiri = frontal force out.
Another over 25% came from that oshidashi = "frontal push out”.
I will note his interesting relatively high hikiotoshi loss percentage. That’s the hand-pull-down move.
Though I am not tracking his win percentage, Konishiki had a career near-60% win percentage. That’s excellent.
Konishiki’s Promos
Before I get into my own mini-review of SUMO+SUSHI, let me share some of Konishiki’s posts as they left Brooklyn and headed for DC this weekend:
My Mini-Review
I went into Sumo+Sushi, having bought the top-tier ticket for myself as a 50th birthday present for myself, and having been as long-time foreign sumo fan. I didn’t expect to learn much new about sumo — but I did learn about a few kimarite that were unfamiliar to me! I mainly went because I wanted to support Konishiki’s project.
Also, on the program were two wrestlers familiar to me:
I knew both Ohtani and Takagenji. They were both in Makuuchi when I was able to watch those levels.
The program had Taiko drumming, demonstration of sumo techniques and training, and demonstration bouts. There was running commentary from Konishiki, and he has great humor.
My favorite bit was when the guys came up at the end to get in the ring with the rikishi to try their skill.
Mind you, they paid for that privilege!
They were all game! They ganbarized!
(Yes, one was allowed to win.)
Spreadsheet
Good Night!
I bought some merch, yes. (I bought a few shirts as well.)
❤️