34 — Sunday, May 3, 1998 — North Shore News

‘Vancouver
to host
sumo stars

Fram page 3

first in the 1960s, followed by the
giant Konishiki in 1984, then
Akebono.) Since Akebono’s domi-
nance of the sport, the Japanese
Sumo Federation has sought to limit,
if not outright ban, foreign-born
competitors,

Akebono holds dual citizenship,
and says it took him about sis months
“ee pick up the Japanese language.

His attitude about sumo ts one
thar also describes the philosophy
that kept the soft-spoken man on his
feet as he climbed to the top of this
strange game in a strange land.

“My job is to wrestle. The only
thing I think about is going forward
and not falling down.”

Tn 1994, knee injuries did what
no rikishi could — knock Akebono
down. He returned following
surgery, but has since struggled to
regain his once dominant form.

Over the past year, however,
Akebono has shown promise of a
return to that greatness. Last July he
defeated fellow yokozuns’
Takanohana in the Natsu Basho.

According to Sumo World maga-
zine, “he had to brush away tears of
happiness while being interviewed by
the press.”

This past February the gracetul

- -~yrekozuna performed the doyho-iri as
part of the Nagano Winter Olympics’
Opening ceremonies. Far from resem-
bling a fading superstar, Akebono
looked ready to take on the world.

With lunch over, Akebono bid us
farewell.

“Sec you in Canada,” he said as he
climbed into his customized
Chevrolet Suburban. A big man on
top of a big world.

Akebono and other top rikishi will be
in Vancouver June 6-7 for the Instoric
Sumo Canada Basio at the PNE
Coliseum. Call Ticketmaster for details.

Pamela Needlands photo
LUNCH with Akebono — Tipping the scales at
500 pounds, Akebono (above, left) is to sumo
wrestling what Wayne Gretzky is to hockey.

THE SUMO LANGUAGE

anko: Angier fish. A component of the chauke nabe

stew that wrestlers cat. Also used to describe wrestlers
with a large, chunky physique.

banzuke: The sumo canking chart.

gunbai: The gourd-shaped instrument held by sumo
referees during bouts.

hakama: Loose trousers worn over komene worn by
wrestlers javo-rank and above.

jinku: Sumo tolk songs.

kanjin sumo: Sumo performed to raise money to
rebuild Buddhist temples; the purpose behind bouts held
by the first professional wrestlers in the Edo era.

mawashi: Loincloth.

shijuhatte: “48 hands.” Refers to the original 48 win-
ning sumo moves. Today is used as an adjective that
roughly translates as “every trick in the book.”

shokkiri: A comic sumo performance which demon-
strates moves prohibited in regular bouts.

sumobeya: Sumo stable.

sumo sechie: Sumo of the Nara and Heian eras, the
outcome of which supposedly indicated the will of the
gods concerning decisions national rulers had to make.

tanimachi: A patron, supporter of a sumo stable or
individua! wrestler.

yobidashi: An announcer.

zori: Bamboo sandles worn by high-ranking reterees.

— from the book Sino Watching

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