Tachiai (立合い)

The final installment of our Aki Basho podcast, we preview the tournament, and who we think is going to be in competition for the cup this September. With Isegahama oyakata COVID positive, will Terunofuji compete? Can shin-sekiwake Hoshoryu be able to reach kachi-koshi at his highest ever rank? Will we see fireworks as Asanoyama works … Continue reading Tachiai Aki Basho Podcast – Basho Preview And Predictions

Josh, Andy and Bruce return in our second segment to discuss the Aki banzuke, and the unusual circumstances that created the 3 by 3 by 3 san’yaku. We take a look at the career of Kaisei on the occasion of his retirement from professional sumo, and we talk about if Tobizaru is finally ready to … Continue reading Tachiai Aki Basho Podcast – Banzuke Discussion

Tachiai’s podcast team return on YouTube and your favorite podcast platform to discuss the upcoming Aki basho. We discuss the emergence of Hiro Morita’s “Sumo Prime Time” YouTube channel, Ichinojo’s yusho in Nagoya, the farce that the NSK’s COVID Kyujo rules produced in July, and we discuss the future rivalry between former Yokozuna Hakuho (now … Continue reading Tachiai Aki Podcast – Sumo News And Topics

After taking a six month break, it’s well past time that Andy and Bruce come up with a genki report. So here is 30 minutes of us discussing the fighting state of the top rikishi, and handicapping the first few days of the tournament. Then we both step in it up to our waists as … Continue reading Tachiai Natsu Basho Podcast (Audio) – Basho Preview & Predictions

Some have asked – where has the Tachiai podcast gone to? Did it get stuck under the couch? Did you guys suddenly recognize you have a faces for radio and voices for calling in the cattle at sunset? Or did you find something else to do with your time? Yes, yes and yes to all! … Continue reading Tachiai Natsu Basho Podcast – Sumo News and Topics

Josh, Andy and Bruce return to discuss the upcoming tournament in Fukuoka, who we are watching closely this time, and of course our always regrettable predictions. We discuss shin-komusubi Kiribayama, September Jun-yusho winner Myogiryu, the return of “Big Guns” Shohozan, The return of Abi, and the sekitori premier of Hakuho’s giant deshi Hokuseiho. It’s 25 … Continue reading Kyushu Basho (Audio) Podcast – Part 2

Team Tachiai returns to talk about sumo news, including Hakuho’s retirement, the results from the sumo association’s join training session, rumors of new stables, and the impact of youth sumo. Plus – our salute to Jason, who has announced his retirement as the guy that everyone loves to watch sumo with. Josh, Andy and Bruce … Continue reading Kyushu Basho Podcast – Part 1 (Audio)

Segment 3, the final installment, and once again Team Tachiai take to the microphones. This time they preview the upcoming September tournament, discussing the top ranked men in the sport, and how they might fare during the 15 days of Aki. We know now that Hakuho is out, but will that translate into a yusho … Continue reading Aki Podcast Part 3 – Preview and Predictions

Just when you thought you had recovered from the first one, here we go again with our next installment. It’s audio only until Bruce gets the YouTube version ready, so for those of you so inclined, have at it! In segment 2, the crew is back to discuss the September ranking sheet for the upcoming … Continue reading Aki Podcast Part 2 – Banzuke Discussion

We celebrate 1,000 YouTube subscribers with 30 minutes of sumo fandom. We discuss the aftermath of the Nagoya basho, including Terunofuji’s elevation to the rank of Yokozuna, Takagenji’s dismissal from the sumo ranks, COVID cases in Miyagino Heya, and the all new Araiso heya in the far reaches of Ibaraki. Join Josh, Andy and Bruce … Continue reading Aki Podcast Part 1 – Sumo News

Josh, Andy and Bruce are back to discuss the Nagoya banzuke, and dig into the story lines of the July tournament. Can Hakuho return to dominance? Can Terunofuji take his second yusho and punch his ticket to become a Yokozuna? Can Endo spoil it all? It’s another 20 minutes of nonstop sumo fandom, plus our … Continue reading Nagoya Basho Podcast – Banzuke Discussion And Predictions

Andy, Josh and Bruce take to the podcast once again to discuss the upcoming Nagoya basho, the first time sumo will be seen outside of Tokyo since March 2020. Topics we discuss include keeping Dolphins Arena safe and the return of tournaments outside of Tokyo, the start of the “Golden Age” of sumo stables with … Continue reading Nagoya Basho Podcast – Sumo News And Topics

Andy, Josh and Bruce return to review the May banzuke, and pick out their favorites for a bit of examination. We cover Wakatakakage, Tobizaru, the “redemption” wave from Terunofuji, Ura and Murata, and we discuss if Chiyonokuni will actually start this tournament following his kyujo in March. We round out the show with our always … Continue reading Tachiai Natsu Podcast – Banzuke And Predictions

Josh, Andy and Bruce cover sumo topics and news around the Natsu basho, now just days away. We discuss the 4 Ozeki banzuke, and wonder if it’s an omen of approach doom, the hard-chargers in the top Maegashira ranks, the battle Royale at the top of Makushita, Hakuho’s snub with the ichidai-toshiyori, and the terrible … Continue reading Tachiai Natsu Podcast – News And Events

Andy, Josh and Bruce discuss the day 13 Sandanme match that may have left Hibikiryu paralyzed. Sumo is a combat sport, and inherently dangerous, but could the Sumo Association take safety and injury response more seriously? We look at how the Oyakata and Yobidashi reacted to the injury, and what could have been done better. … Continue reading Tachiai News Update – Hibikiryu’s Gristly Injury (Audio)

Andy, Josh and Bruce discuss Yokozuna Hakuho’s latest knee surgery, and look into how he has forever changed sumo. What does the future hold for him? Will he be able to return ready to fight in July? Can he keep his body together long enough to be a part of the delayed Tokyo Olympic Games? … Continue reading Tachiai News Update – Yokozuna Hakuho’s Knee Surgery

Josh, Andy and Bruce discuss the retirement of Yokozuna Kakuryu in March, and what it means for his future as an Oyakata and the Izutsu kabu. In fact, we spend a fair amount of time speculating what is to become of Kakuryu’s former stablemaster’s elder stock, and run down a list of who might be … Continue reading Tachiai News Update (Audio) – Yokozuna Kakuryu Retires

It’s in-between basho, so Andy, Josh and Bruce gathered to discuss Terunofuji’s re-promotion to Ozeki. Will it motivate the rest of the Ozeki to step up their performance? How long will his knees last? It’s 15 minutes of sumo fans talking about perhaps the greatest comeback in sports history! Video edition coming to YouTube shortly….

Josh and Bruce discuss the Haru basho, held this year in Tokyo. We take a look back at the spooky 2020 Haru held without fans, discuss the chances of another new Ozeki, and the possible return of the Yokozuna. Are we at the apex of the transitional era? With the Yokozuna follow the pattern of … Continue reading Tachiai Haru 2021 Preview Podcast (Audio)

Andy, Josh and Bruce dive into the Hatsu genki report, and take a look at what is sure to be an explosive basho where 4 of the top 5 athletes in sumo MUST win 8 or more matches. We follow that with our Baku-Hatsubasho regrettable predictions, where Bruce sets a new record for regret: his … Continue reading Tachiai 2021 Hatsu Preview Podcast – Part 2

Andy, Josh and Bruce discuss the Hatsu basho. Will COVID shut down the January tournament? Who among the top ranks will survive? This promises to be one of the most intense sumo tournaments in the past decade! The podcast crew discusses the encroaching COVID-19 infections in the sumo world, the looming “State of Emergency” from … Continue reading Tachiai 2021 Hatsu Preview Podcast – Part 1

The Tachiai podcast crew assemble to discuss the upcoming November tournament, re-homed from Kyushu to Tokyo due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In our second of two segments, we cover: The return of joint-practice, or Hakuho gets a workout Increased spectator count for November (from 2500 to 5000 – half capacity) Back to Osaka in … Continue reading Tachiai November Audio Podcast (Part 2)

2020 November Basho (Tokyo) – Banzuke and Rikishi Talk The Tachiai podcast crew assemble to discuss the upcoming November tournament, re-homed from Kyushu to Tokyo due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In our first of two segments, we cover: Shin-Ozeki Shodai Expected participation of the Yokozuna A super-charged Sanyaku A potential meat-grinder in the upper … Continue reading Tachiai November Audio Podcast (Part 1)

Andy, Josh and Bruce take to the podcast to record our thoughts on the upcoming Aki basho. The team covers the promotions, the demotions, and the surprisingly busy sumo news. We cap it off with our always regrettable predictions. Will Andy surprise and confound again?

It’s Andy, Josh and Bruce from Team Tachiai discussing the Natsu banzuke, and news from the sumo world as we eagerly await a decision on May 6th on the fate of the May tournament. We cover: Shin-Ozeki Asanoyama, Shodai, Mitakeumi, Terunofuji, Enho and Ura along with the “Ozeki scrap heap” and a log jam of … Continue reading Natsu Banzuke (Audio) Podcast

Josh, Andy and Bruce discuss our outlook and predictions for this 2020 Haru Basho. Can they make it to 15 days without anyone getting sick? Can Asanoyama hit double digits again? Who do we think will have a breakout basho, who will score the biggest make-koshi, and our always regrettable predictions of who will take … Continue reading Haru Preview and Predictions Audio Podcast

Josh, Andy and Bruce cover the rikishi competing in the March tournament in Osaka. Who is ready, and who is not. It’s Tachiai’s world famous genki report! We discuss: Takakeisho, Takayasu, Hakuho, Kakuryu, Abi, Yutakayama and Terunofuji! This is the audio version, YouTube video version will appear just above in mere moments….

The audio version of our next segment previewing the March sumo tournament in Osaka. In a rare step, the Japan Sumo Association has decided to conduct the Haru Basho with no audience in attendance for any day of the tournament. Andy, Josh and Bruce discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the March tournament … Continue reading Tachiai Audio Podcast – Haru 2020, the Silent Basho

Audio version of our Banzuke podcast, with the YouTube video coming shortly. Its Josh, Andy and Bruce discussing the March ranking sheet for the Osaka tournament. We cover Asanoyama pushing to replenish the Ozeki ranks, the seldom seen Yokozuna-Ozeki, and the very rare Maegashira 18.

The audio version of our new segmented podcast format for Hatsu, we talk about matches we are eager to see, and who we think will contend for the cup. The video version will be up later today on YouTube… Andy and Bruce talk about the January 2020 basho, with their preview of key matches such … Continue reading Hatsu Match Previews & Predictions Audio Podcast

As part of our new segmented podcast experiment, here is 20 minutes of Andy and Bruce running through their pre-basho Genki Report, covering the strong, the injured and the broken for the first basho of 2020. We cover Hakuho, Kakuryu, Goeido, Takayasu, The Joi-Jin with special attention to Asanoyama, Abi and Mitakeumi. Audio now, video … Continue reading Hatsu Genki Report Audio Podcast

Team Tachiai is breaking our normal “Mega Podcast” into smaller components to make it easier to enjoy. First up are Bruce and Andy’s commentary on the banzuke, published Christmas Eve in the US, for the upcoming Hatsu basho. Audio version only for now, with video posted to YouTube shortly!

Andy, Josh and Bruce discuss the November 2019 Kyushu banzuke, featuring 4 rikishi ranked Komusubi. Can the Ozeki Corps bounce back? Will either Yokozuna be competing day 15? Is it now or never for Mitakeumi? Team Tachiai covers a lot of ground, plus our always regrettable predictions. Audio version for now, with the video coming … Continue reading Kyushu Banzuke Podcast (Audio)

Josh joins Bruce from Tokyo to discuss one of the more surprising and unpredictable sumo tournaments in recent memory. We discuss buying tickets to see sumo, the reaction of the crowd in the Kokugikan vs what you see or hear on TV, the chances of the embattled Yokozuna and Ozeki corps, and we revisit our … Continue reading Aki Basho Nakabi Podcast (Audio)