Tonight was the final night of the November sumo tournament, the one and only night when the two top wrestlers get to fight one another. Currently carrying the top rank of Yokozuna are two Mongolians: Hakuho and Harumafuji. If their names don't seem Mongolian, it's because they aren't. The Japanese sumo tradition lovingly bequeaths them. For the past few years, Hakuho has maintained an incredible record of having the most wins in a year. I really enjoy watching the calm in his face before a match.
But tonight, it was not to be for Hakuho. In the course of a sumo career it only seems natural. As much as I enjoy his approach, it was also interesting to see him lose, the calm on his face only slightly disturbed by the disappointment. It was a first for me.
If you're interested in seeing a sumo match, here is a link of this final match. This is a video of the English television coverage of the final match between Hakuho and Harumafuji (with additional commentary from an American guy in the peanut gallery). You can see the Japanese advertising, the costumed referee, the long prelude to the fight including the salt throwing, the bow dance following it, and hear some explanation of what's going on. The actual fight starts at 4:26 and last for about 18 seconds.
Sumo Time
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