2012 Grand Sumo Tournament |
Posted by MBA Bali Tour on Sat Nov 17, 2012 |
This particular ceremony is limited to the opening and closing day of each tournament. In it the chairman of the Nihon Sumo Kyokai, professional sumo's governing body, steps up onto the ring accompanied by the very highest ranked rikishi competing. Along with a brief observation concerning the tournament in question, the chairman also thanks the crowd for its support. The ceremony ends with him leading a bow of gratitude and respect to each side of the arena.
Maezumo
Brand new recruits step up onto the dohyo or ring for the first time in a test competition call "maezumo". Starting from the third day of a Grand Sumo Tournament (quite often the March Grand Sumo Tournament would see this start on the second day), trainees who complete this process earn the right to have their names appear on the "banzuke" or official listing of rank from the next tournament.
Naka-iri
This is the term used to refer to the break that comes between the Juryo and top, Makuuchi Division matches. During this period the Makuuchi rikishi perform their own ring entering ceremony. This is followed by the yokozuna ring entering ceremony and, if time allows, a formal announcement of the following day's matches.
2012 Grand Tournament Schedule
Tournament | Venue |
Advance Tickets are sold from: |
Sumo Ranking is announced on: |
First Day | Final Day |
The November Tournament |
Fukuoka Kokusai Center |
October 6, 2012 (Saturday) |
October 29, 2012 (Monday) |
November 11, 2012 (Sunday) |
November 25, 2012 (Sunday) |
Sanyaku Soroifumi
This ceremony is one of several that take place only on the fifteenth and final day of every tournament. In it, the top three rikishi from both the east and west sides scheduled to compete in the last three matches of the day step up onto the ring and position themselves in the shape of a Japanese fan. They then perform shiko or traditional sumo foot stamping. This serves to further purify the ring for the coming ultimate competition.
Last changed: Sat Nov 17, 2012 at 9:59 am