This is Grand Sumo Breakdown, a sports talk show about professional sumo. Keep an eye out for our main episodes where we preview and recap each tournament and bonus episodes on other topics specific to sumo. Feel free to contact us through social media or email us at grandsumobreakdown@gmail.com.
Well that sure was fun. Welcome to the future, sumo fans!
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SPOILERS THRU DAY 8
Join us to break down week one of the May Basho, where our leaderboard is about as fun as we could have possibly asked for.
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Mak has a bad time while you have a good time. Also we revive our segment on GSB earning a sumo black belt.
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Oof.
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Not a super busy month, but we cover the basics of what's been going on between the Haru and Natsu bashos.
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It's that time once again! Join Ryan and Jake as Ryan attempts to divine how the Natsu Banzuke will shake out based on the results of the Haru Basho.
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Haru was a roller coaster, join GSB to try to make sense of what's next.
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SPOILERS THRU DAY 8
Ryan and Mak's sheer audacity to have personal lives has led them to being unavailable this week, so Flyric and Jake are joined by two guests from our friends at Honu Sumo to discuss week 1 of the Haru Basho.
Check out more from Nathan and Mengkin at Maximum Effort Studios.
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Join GSB to discuss the first basho for the 74th Yokozuna, Hoshoryu! We also begin our quest to cover all the vocab on the path to earning a sumo black belt, this episodes vocab words are:
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Ryan absolutely nails the prediction for the yokozuna rank. Really good stuff, high level knowledge.
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If you’d like to try your hand at guessing the banzuke alongside Ryan (a.k.a. Goshobiyama), go to: dichne.com/Guess
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First update to the top rank in over 3 years?! How will this massive news affect the rest of the banzuke? Actually not too much, but it's still neat.
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Did anything consequential happen this basho? Anything? Anything at all? Certainly no huge news is coming out right about now, right?
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SPOILERS THRU DAY 8
Way too much to pack in today so let's get right to it, all the way from the elephant in the room down to who might actually still be in the running.
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Hope everyone ate like a sumo wrestler over the holidays! Welcome back to a new year of sumo, let's get down to discussing the exciting potential at the top of the rankings and help Mak explore his inner hater.
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A new sumo year is upon us, and with it, the changing of the guard. Join the boys as a new start to the show is introduced in glorious fashion and see how they prognosticate on 2025. How many Yokozuna will there be? How many Ozeki? Do you agree with what the guys think will happen?
A belated look at the rankings going into the first pro sumo tournament of the new year.
Ryan, Jake, and Mak do their best to keep up with sumo news over the holidays. Fortunately for them, there kinda isn't a ton to cover.
As the year comes to a close, Ryan predicts what we'll see on the banzuke for the first tournament of 2025.
Can you believe another year as come and gone? Neither can we. Join us as we recount the biggest stories of the year. We also revisit our predictions they made at the beginning of the year and see who wound up with the most points. The winner gets the immense honor of introducing each of our episodes in 2025!
We asked, you voted, now the results are in! Thank you to everyone who participated in our 2024 Sumo Popularity poll. How did it all shake out? Join us as we review and discuss the results.
Ryan, Flyric, and Jake (and kinda Mak?) go over the final basho of 2024 and what it means for sumo going into the new year. Flyric has a near death experience with some wings, and Ryan graces us with another song from a listener.
SPOILERS THRU DAY 8
It's turning out to be an excellent Kyushu basho. Join us to discuss the highlights so far and what to expect in week 2.
Check out our video on youtube later today for a breakdown of Jake and Flyric's matches at this year's Midwest Open, and as always keep an eye on sumo411.com for more amateur events.
Ryan, Jake, and Mak soldier on without their spirit animal, as Flyric had to miss due to scheduling conflicts. Is there anything worth talking about other than our new Ozeki Onosato?! Well yes, of course, but he's gotta be the headline, right?
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Onosato is now an Ozeki! Unfortunately, that's just about the only sure thing on this banzuke...
Today Jake sits down with Honu Sumo's JJ Jones, the 2024 head coach for Team USA, to talk about how the Sumo World Championships went for our Americans. JJ's been a busy man this year, as he also hosted US Nationals just 4 months ago. Make sure to keep up with him and his team on YouTube at Maximum Effort Studios.
Join (most of) the crew for our first off-season news update! We plan to check in between each basho on the general goings-on in the world of professional sumo. Let us know if there are any other types of things you'd like to see us cover.
Make sure to take our 2024 Grand Sumo Popularity Poll! This is the 6th year in a row we're running it and we'll have a podcast to discuss the results before the next basho.
For now though, join us to cover the spectacular Aki tournament and the ascension of the new chosen one!
SPOILERS THRU DAY 8
A Mak-less GSB soldiers on to cover what is turning out to be a pretty excellent basho so far
Gearing up for the September basho and there are storylines aplenty. We cover the turmoil at the top of the banzuke all the way down to the promising newcomers.
Etan Perez burst onto the sumo scene in 2023, winning the Texas State Championship in her very first year and representing America at the World Championships. Next up: she's headed to Europe with Team USA for Worlds '24.
Watch the Sumo World Championships with English commentary on the World of Sumo YouTube channel on September 7th and 8th
It has finally happened. Ryan not only reclaims his Best Banzuke Guy status in the Guess the Banzuke rankings, but he also got 1st place in the whole dang contest. Certainly this won't go to his head.
With less than 2 weeks until the Sumo World Championships in Poland, we sit down with Mighty Eagle Sumo's Jay Scriven, the 2024 men's heavyweight national champ.
Watch the world championships on September 7th and 8th on the World of Sumo youtube channel
Today we check on the progress of the year-long predictions we made in January and see who is doing the least bad so far.
Join a short-handed GSB team as they flounder through the 2024 July tournament without their beloved bus driver.
SPOILERS THRU DAY 8
The standings after week 1 tell the whole story so far. Will we see the ending we expect or can someone step up to make it dramatic?
The 4th pro sumo tournament of the year is upon us. Will Onosato continue his ascent or can one of the veterans finally slow him down?
Ryan keeps Jake captive long enough to explain the 2 massive crimes committed by the makers of the Nagoya banzuke.
The US National Sumo Tournament took place June 1st in San Diego, hosted by Honu Sumo. Join us to talk about it with Raijin Sumo's Sensei Seth Adams and Honu's Mengkin Ragan! We talk about how Seth got into sumo and go through the results of the tournament.
The May tournament started out wild and the finale didn't disappoint. The guys break down this second consecutive historic basho.
Check out this link to get an Onosato shirt from our friend SumoBola!
SPOILERS THRU DAY 8
This basho is plagued by injuries, but we don't let that dampen our sumo hype! Mostly. Probably. Kinda.
Salt City Sumo's Goose and JJ join us to talk about their show and our recent meeting at the Rollertown Showdown in Dallas. Also featuring a special guest making his amateur sumo bonus episode debut: Iowa Sumo/GSB's very own Flyric!
After Takerufuji's historic win, the story this time seems to be a bit more pessimistic as the Ghost of Injuries Past comes to haunt the Natsu basho....
So where did Takerufuji land? And more importantly, was Ryan able to hang on to his Best Banzuke Guy trophy after a tough prediction?
Where the heck does Takerufuji deserve to be on the next banzuke? Ryan has a lot to say about it.
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SPOILERS THRU DAY 8
Topsy turvy Haru so far. Where can it go from here?
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All eyes seem to be at the top of the banzuke for the March basho. We cover the favorites for the tournament as well as the big news from Miyagino stable.
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Let's take a look at the banzuke for March and see if Ryan will remain #1 Banzuke Guy or if he'll have to fly to Japan to fight some fools.
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Join us for our third annual GSB Hall of Fame bonus episode, where we induct some of our favorite moments, people, and stories that might not otherwise get their time to shine. As always, we also have the dreaded Hall of Shame for things that bum us out.
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"I don't like it, but I get it" is the motto of this next banzuke prediction episode.
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The Hatsu basho welcomed in the new year with some serious action. Plenty of stories from this basho to cover, so cozy up next to the fire with a nice hot cup of podcast.
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Spoilers Thru Day 8
A crowded leaderboard and a pile of injuries. Join us to discuss.
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Jake catches up with JJ Jones of Honu sumo ahead of the 2nd annual SoCal Open, coming up on February 24th in San Diego. We also talk about Honu's incredible experience at the 2023 World Championships and their next big adventure: 2024 US Nationals!
Check out Honu Sumo on Instagram and Maximum Effort Studios on YouTube!
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It wouldn't be GSB if we didn't make a competition out of it, so here's some of our big predictions we'll be keeping an eye on in the new year.
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First basho of the year and it looks to be an important one. Will Terunofuji keep going? Can Kirishima get the rope? Can the new generation stake their claim in the top division?
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Uh, woops. Looks like Jake forgot to upload this episode to the podcast apps when he put it on youtube. Regardless, he is joined by Kyle Ferriter, Sake & Sumo, and the Sumo Punx to take a look back at 2023 and dole out awards for some of the amateur wrestlers who made the biggest waves. If you're looking for spoilers, skip ahead to 2:34:30 for a recap of the winners.
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Thank you to everyone in the online sumo community for spending another great year with us. Join us one last time in 2023 to cover the highlights of the year and go over our favorite bits of the year that was.
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This one went... ok. Ryan walks us through his thoughts on a banzuke that departed somewhat from recent convention even if only in just a couple key ways.
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Ryan and Jake take a look at what the first banzuke of the year might look like, including a possible return to normalcy in the san'yaku ranks for the first time in a year and a half.
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The results of our 2023 Popularity Poll are in! Join us to see who topped each of the lists and play along with the guys as Ryan quizzes the rest of us on the results.
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No more sumo until next year makes GSB some sad boys. In the meantime, make sure to take our 2023 Rikishi Popularity Poll! And a big thank you to Rich Mushrooms for being our sponsor for this basho! If you'd like to taste the amazingness that was this delectable treat, check them out here! https://richmushrooms.com/
"Commercial" music by Grand_Project and Skilsel via Pixabay
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Spoilers thru day 8
With Jake and Flyric away, Mak and Ryan break down an exciting week 1 to the Kyushu basho
A big thank you to Rich Mushrooms for being our sponsor for this episode! If you'd like to taste the amazingness that was this delectable treat, check them out here! https://richmushrooms.com/
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GSB discusses the upcoming final tournament of the year. Jake eats some jerky and bends the rules a little on his punishment?
A big thank you to Rich Mushrooms for being our sponsor for this episode! If you'd like to taste the amazingness that was this delectable treat, check them out here! https://richmushrooms.com/
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Ryan and Jake review the Kyushu banzuke and how Ryan's prediction did, plus a special new award?
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Join Jake and Ryan for a sumo trivia pop quiz! Oh also we look at the banzuke for November.
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Today Jake is joined by another Jake. A bigger, better, stronger Jake. One that probably listens to more GSB than we do ourselves....
Keep an eye out for Ohayo Sumo, an association of clubs on the rise and one of the main groups driving the growth of sumo in the American Midwest.
Full event video of the 2023 Beer City Open can be found on the Grand Sumo Breakdown YouTube page.
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The second week of Aki turned out just as weird as the first. Join us to recap the September tournament and what it means going forward.
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Spoilers thru day 8
Anyone who claims to know what is going to happen in this "Wacky Aki" basho is a liar.
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Straight from the GSB "delayed due to technical difficulties" Vault, comes a double header of US sumo interviews! Our second episode today is Jake catching up with Stan "Panda" Kocol" out of Washington state's Iron Goat Sumo Club after the Harvest Days tournament in Midvale, Utah.
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Straight from the GSB "delayed due to technical difficulties" Vault, comes a double header of US sumo interviews! First up, Jake sits down with Raijin Sumo's Edobor Konyeha and Dallas's Corey Morrison to talk about Edo and his epic run at the 2023 Cowboy Cup.
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The top of the banzuke looks a little beat up this tournament. Who will be left standing when the dust clears? Also towards the end of the episode, check out Ryan's excellent punishment for losing the Nagoya prediction bet.
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Was this a really good banzuke prediction from Ryan or a really bad one? Both? Neither?
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Ryan and Jake take a look at what's coming in Aki. Check out our Youtube version to follow along visually as we talk through the ranks.
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With Nagoya in the books and Mak finally home from Japan, it's time we looked back on a really weird and fun basho. Stay tuned to the end for Flyric's overdue (but worth it) punishment from last tournament: sumo erotica!
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Spoilers thru day 8
With the top 3 wrestlers well out of the running, who will step up to take the yusho in Nagoya?
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Nagoya brings us a new ozeki and three more potentials waiting in the wings. Join us to break down what we think of their chances and all the other storylines leading up to a very interesting Nagoya basho.
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If the title wasn't a hint, this episode covers the GSBs thoughts on the retiring of Tochinoshin, Ichinojo, and Ishiura. Let us know your favorite highlights and things you will miss from these great rikishi!
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Kind of a weird one here, does Ryan have to add new rules to his banzuke handbook?
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Today we sit down with Salt City Sumo's George Ferris ahead of his club's first ever tournament: The Harvest Days Sumo Open, coming up in Salt Lake City on August 5th! Check sumo411.com for details on this and other upcoming tournaments.
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Ryan walks Jake through his prediction for Nagoya, but per his overwhelming competitive nature, we are posting this banzuke prediction AFTER the Guess the Banzuke game has finished accepting submissions. He wants that top rank something fierce.
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This episode has been long overdue. Ryan and Mak sit down with Jason Harris of Jason's All Sumo Channel for some great conversations about the current state of Sumo and thoughts about the future of the sport.
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Natsu is in the books and it kinda went as expected? Regardless, plenty of sumo to break down.
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Spoilers thru day 8
Some great sumo so far, let's break down what we've got at the halfway point of the basho.
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Joining us today is Chicago Sumo's Jamal Williams, who tried his hand at live sumo for the first time last month in Dallas.
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There is a lot of potential volatility for the GSB crew to discuss this basho. Returning Yokozuna, desperate Ozeki, and surging Sekiwake.
Special thanks to Jared Tadlock, Caleb Baccus, The Sumo Punx, and the GSB extended family for lending their voices to Jake's punishment
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On the anniversary of their spur-of-the-moment transformation from bar patrons to sumo warriors, today we're joined by Dallas Sumo Club's Rick and Bubba Garza! A little over a year ago they stepped in the ring at the first Rollertown event and began their journey into sumo, so it seemed perfect to have them help us cover last weekend's Rollertown Showdown!
Also there was some strange interference at the end of the recording... Oh well, I'm sure it was nothing.
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Ryan nailed this one, so brace yourself for gloating amongst the data (it's well deserved, but still).
Special treat at 44:00 where Jake uses the lessons learned from Ryan's banzuke predictions to create a banzuke based on the recent amateur event, the Rollertown Showdown in Dallas! Plenty more coming on this tournament.
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Today we check in with friend of the show Mr. JWags, ostensibly to talk about what an ozeki run needs to look like in the modern era, but as always it inevitably evolves into general sumo talk. Find more from JWags on his YouTube channel, @TheDohyo!
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The next event in US Sumo is the Rollertown Showdown in Dallas! This is a big one, including a team draft, a sumo-themed beer release, and GAGAMARU visiting the USA to lead a training session! Dallas Sumo Oyakata Corey Morrison tells us all about it. Go to dallassumoclub.org to sign up!
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Ryan and Jake take a stab at what the rankings will look like for the May basho.
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Been traveling with Kyle so much this year we figured we better have him on the show again to help us cover all of March's events.
Full video of both 2023 Nationals and the Kuma Sumo Bash on the Grand Sumo Breakdown YouTube channel!
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With today's bombshell announcement, GSB couldn't help but offer our 2 cents. Let us know what you think as well!
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Ah yes, exactly what we predicted on our midway... Even if it took till the second week to heat up, the Haru basho absolutely delivered.
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SPOILERS THRU DAY 7
Does this basho deserve a midway episode? Well, yes, but we're still going to whine about it.
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We go quite a ways off the rails on our coverage of the March tournament, but stick with it. There's gotta be some actual sumo content in there somewhere.
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Another basho with a wild upper banzuke. Ryan's predictions for this one start off great but end up bordering on dumpster fire.
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Are you a new wrestler looking to compete at your first nationals? Are you a veteran looking to get an idea who your competition is? Kyle and Ryan fill us in on all the details for Orlando.
More info and signups here: Smoothcomp Link
Event will stream live on the Grand Sumo Breakdown YouTube channel March 11.
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So this next banzuke will have a normal-looking san'yaku, right? RIGHT?
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Our second installment of the GSB Hall of Fame, where we revisit stories that are worth talking about but might not be worth a full bonus episode.
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As Midwesterners, there's no place GSB would rather be in February than Southern California, and though we can't make it there in person, Honu Sumo's Justin "JJ" Jones and Mengkin Ragan give us the next best thing: a US sumo tournament! The SoCal Open takes place February 25th in San Diego, so find Honu Sumo on Instagram or go to bit.ly/socalopensd for more info! Streaming will be on the Maximum Effort Studios YouTube channel.
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Tom and Caleb Join us to talk about the next US sumo event: February 11th's Mighty Eagle Team Tournament in San Antonio. Go to mightyeaglesumo.com for more info and make sure to watch the stream at noon central on the Lonestar Sumo YouTube channel!
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To promote, or not to promote? That is the question that we spend far too long debating.
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Spoilers thru day 8
Pretty solid basho so far. Some great technical battles, some brutal striking matches, and best of all HENKAS!
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2023 looks to be an interesting year. Will we get any new yokozuna or ozeki? Will we even keep the ones we have? Ryan, Mak, Flyric, and Hakuh- I mean Jake discuss.
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This was a rough one. Ryan tries to pick up the pieces while Jake tries to podcast and parent.
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2022 was a wild year in sumo. Every tournament had a different champ, covid demolished the July basho, Mitakeumi gained and subsequently lost ozeki status, Takayasu broke a million hearts... Join the GSB crew to discuss the best and worst of the year! Stay tuned after the credits for our punishment of the year replay.
Also make sure to check out our amateur sumo award show where Jake and Mak were joined by the Sumo Punx and Sake & Sumo's Caleb!
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With 2022 coming to a close, all of us US sumo enthusiasts should look back with pride on one of the biggest growth years our sport has ever seen. Mak and Jake are joined by Caleb Baccus - sumo black belt and Sake & Sumo podcast host - as well as the SUMO PUNX! Congratulations to all our award winners and thank you to everybody who helped make 2022 a great year for sumo!
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After hundreds of responses, the 2022 popularity poll results are in! Find out who are the most and least liked rikishi of the year in GSB's 4th annual event.
Oh also Jake's baby is here.
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Five junior san'yaku slots? Eight?! Who the hell knows? Ryan takes his best guess. Also Jake apologizes in advance...
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It's time for the Kyushu Review-shu! The guys scrape the depressed pile of Jake off the floor and discuss the final heartbrea- I mean basho of 2022!
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Sometimes an event feels cursed, like the whole universe is conspiring to keep a good thing from happening. The Houston Open was one such event, but the sumo way is to keep moving forward! Nick Ton and Shogeki Sumo powered through to make the tournament a great one no matter what. First-time competitor Nate Hudson joins us to talk about how it went.
Also, since Jake fumbled it so bad, here are the special prize winners he was trying to remember:
Outstanding Performance: Madison Guinn
Technique: Jared Tadlock
Fighting Spirit: Khalil Collins
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SPOILERS THROUGH DAY 8
Which of the co-leaders can continue their dominance into week 2? We have some shoddy guesses for you.
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GSB's better-late-than-never preview is here! Enjoy our long, meandering opinions that even manage to stay on topic some of the time.
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Ahead of this Saturday's Houston Open, Jake and Mak are joined by Brandon and Al to preview the next US sumo event: December 3rd's Ronin Sumo Tournament!
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Ryan and Jake review the first ever... Christmas Tree banzuke?
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Jake sits down with Nick Ton and Paul Gutierrez, two of the founding members of Houston's Shogeki Sumo. Watch for the Houston Open on GSB's YouTube channel Saturday November 12th!
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Mak recaps the 2022 Beer City Sumo Open with sumo wrestlers Gabe Unick of Grand Rapids, Matt Shields of Chicago, and…. Jake of Iowa? If you’d like to try wrestling with these folks, make sure to come to Davenport IA on 10/15 for a training seminar! More details on Facebook under the event “Quad Cities Sumo Training.” Feel free to reach out to any of us with questions!
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Ryan walks a very sore Jake through a banzuke that is simultaneously really messed up but somehow also predictable.
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Just in time for his All American Sumo Classic, Jake and Mak are joined by Sumo Dan! The event will be held October 8th at the Mr. America Sports Festival, find @SumoDanUSA on Instagram for more info!
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Book review at 1:27:28
A dramatic and chaotic and, dare we say, "wacky" Aki basho is in the books. Hearts were broken, henkas were henka'd, hype trains were derailed.
Stay tuned for Jake's review of Ash Warren's new book, The Way of Salt, a great read on sumo and Japanese culture. Available now!
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Spoilers thru day 8
Settle down, Ryan. Settle down. There's still a whole week to go...
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Dark Circle Sumo's premier event of the year is in the books! Head coach Justin Kizzart and heavyweight Ben Marquez help us go over the results and talk about about the day.
Check out full event video on Dark Circle's youtube page
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When the GSB boys don't get to hang out much during an offseason, we tend to go long... Enjoy our epic, rambling preview of the Aki tournament that starts this Sunday.
Special thanks to our musical guest, JWags! Check out the mrjwags channel on youtube
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No getting around it, this one's a mess.... Enjoy!
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Only a few days left before one of the biggest amateur sumo events of the year! Mighty Eagle Sumo's Caleb Baccus joins us to preview the Consulate's Cup, happening this Saturday in Austin, TX! Watch over 50 wrestlers collide live on Dark Circle Sumo's youtube page from 11-4 central with play-by-play commentary from GSB, Sumo Kaboom, Sumo Punx, Sake & Sumo, and more!
More info @ DarkCircleSumo.com
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With the 2nd annual Iron Belly tournament now behind us, who better to help us recap the action than some first time competitors? Oscar and James of New York Sumo Club join us to talk about traveling to their first ever tournament and about practicing sumo in NYC.
Full video for the Iron Belly II tournament on the Grand Sumo Breakdown YouTube channel.
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What on earth are we supposed to do with this banzuke? Ryan does the painfully in-depth research so you don't have to. Here's the calendar of upcoming amateur events that Jake mentioned:
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Adding to an already excellent upcoming stretch of amateur sumo events, Grand Rapids Sumo Club's Gabe Unick fills us in on the Beer City Open, as well as his start in sumo and their recent tournament at the JAFAX convention. Lots going on this Fall, make sure to update your calendars!
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Sorry we're late, but we simply could not record until Ryan shotgunned a beer on camera. It'll make sense I promise.
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After half a year out of the ring, Mark Jones is back! The heavyweight AND openweight gold medalist at last year's Iron Belly Tournament will look to defend his titles next weekend in Orlando. In classic GSB fashion though, we still end up managing to spend half the time talking about anime and crab legs.
Make sure to tune in for the Iron Belly II Tournament coming up on August 6th at noon Eastern in Orlando. Jake and Mak will be providing livestream commentary on YouTube!
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Ahead of Florida's next big tournament, Brandon and Al of Ronin Sumo-Beya take a break from their dohyo on the beach to tell us more about their new club and what else is on their calendars.
Make sure to tune in for the Iron Belly II Tournament coming up on August 6th at noon Eastern in Orlando. Keep an eye out for more info soon!
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Spoilers through day 8
Hairpulls? Loose mawashis? No one with less than 2 losses? What a weird one so far...
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The World Games in Birmingham was an incredible experience, both for our USA wrestlers and fans. Since GSB couldn't be there in person, we thought we'd check in with Brenda, who had a front row view of all the action and helped the rest of us watch the preliminary matches. Make sure to check out highlights on YouTube, especially on the Sumo Punx channel. Full event results on TWG2022.com
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After The World Games, the next chance to see our American amateur wrestlers will be the 2nd annual Iron Belly Tournament, hosted by Ironwave Sumo! We check in with Ironwave to recap last year and talk about what to expect next month.
The Iron Belly Tournament takes place August 6th at 10Ten Brewing in Orlando at noon local with livestreaming by GSB!
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Wait a sec, that's not Jake and Mak! Enjoy a new lineup that is, on average, much funnier than normal. Catch Jake on the next episode of Sumo Mainichi and Mak on the next Sumo Kaboom, we'll bring them home to GSB on the Midway.
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With just a few days left until The World Games in Birmingham AL, we sit down with Team USA lightweight Elizabeth Salazar out of Mighty Eagle Sumo. Make sure to watch the highest level amateur sumo event of the year this Saturday, July 9th on the Olympic Channel! More info HERE.
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Today we check in with one of the newest American clubs, Ronin Rikishi Sumo out of Dallas/Fort Worth. Coach and sambo expert Julian Sanchez tells us about their sumo journey so far and their debut at the Cowboy Cup.
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Ryan gets to boast about an all-time great banzuke performance while Jake limps through new video controls. Averages out to a passable episode I suppose?
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The hungriest man in sumo is on the prowl, pity the fools who will have to face him at The World Games! The legendary Trent Sabo takes some time off the road to sit down with GSB and deliver possibly the best beans-related wrestling promo of all time.
Sumo at The World Games takes place July 9th and 10th in Birmingham, Alabama, more info at twg2022.com/sports/sumo
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THE COWBOY CUP WAS FRICKIN' AWESOME. GO WATCH IT ON YOUTUBE. THEN LISTEN TO THIS PODCAST. THEN SHOW UP NEXT YEAR. HAKKEY'ALL!
(Full stream on the Dallas Sumo Club channel)
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Today we're joined by one of the best wrestlers in the country, reigning women's heavyweight champ Kellyann Ball. Kellyann brought home plenty of hardware to the trophy case of Yamamoto Sumo Dojo at this year's Nationals, and next she's headed to the World Games in July!
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Ryan has a huge amount of research for this banzuke, and Jake is finding unhealthy ways to cope.
Watch the Cowboy Cup this Saturday, June 11th at noon central on Dallas Sumo Club's youtube page!
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A new player has entered the sumo podcasting game! Join Jake and Mak to get to know our new rivals, the Sumo Punx: Matt and Sabrina!
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After earning his first gold medal this spring at the Texas Classic, former pro wrestler Jared Tadlock has high hopes for the next leg of the Texas championship season: the first ever Cowboy Cup Sumo Open!
The Cowboy Cup takes place June 11th at noon central at the Panther Pavilion in Fort Worth TX. Streaming details coming soon.
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What a weird tournament. All that chaos in week one just for that result? Don't get me wrong, it makes sense in the big picture but it feels like it deserved something... whackier?
Also in order to fulfill our podcast punishments from this and previous bashos, the last segment of this episode is pure misery.... Watch us suffer live on the youtube version!
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Barely 4 months after trying sumo for the first time, wrestling coach Jordan Karst is the American middleweight sumo champion. Join us to discuss his adventures in wrestling and in expanding his hobbies during the pandemic.
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Today we're joined by Yamamoto Sumo Dojo's Danny Avila, 2022 light heavyweight bronze medalist and new USSF board member! We talk about last month's Nationals, training in California, and the illness that has sidelined him for nearly 2 years.
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Are Terunofuji's injuries finally catching up to him? Can Wakatakakage follow up his March yusho? Ryan, Mak, Flyric, and the shambling zombie of Jake discuss all this and more.
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Ryan and Jake review a very silly and inconsistent banzuke that seems to thoroughly debunk every rule of thumb that we've discovered so far...
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US Nationals this Saturday, April 23rd on Youtube! 10-4 MDT!
On the eve of the National Championships, Mak and Jake are joined by the legendary Kelly Gneiting to talk about what to look for this weekend and hid journey in sumo so far.
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Anime enthusiast and World Games qualifier Angel Delatorre joins Jake and an internetly-chellenged Mak to discuss why Hinomaru Sumo is the best anime ever. Also we talk a bit about real life sumo I guess.
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You heard it here first folks, Ryan finally has his priorities in proper order. Banzuke math is now officially higher on his list than his sweet baby daughter.
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Texas is the place to be for women's sumo, and Mighty Eagle's Nicole Burgess is the reigning state champ. We chat about the W.I.N. Tournament, the upcoming Nationals, and what it will take to defend her title.
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Hide your tater tots, the Samoan Bulldozer's comin through. If you're anywhere near Kansas City and want to try some sumo, reach out to Robert at 816-606-4350 or robertfuimaono@gmail.com
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
GSB has a huge announcement about bringing sumo wrestling to the midwest....
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Jake's heart is broken, Flyric had an unavoidable recording conflict, and Mak has some major culinary difficulties ahead of him. Nobody's having a good day. Except for Ryan I guess, who gets to watch his friends suffer. Warning, this episode might get gross...
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Dark Circle Sumo's Chad Neu joins us to talk about his extensive history studying the art of ass-kicking.
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Just in time for America's only all-women sumo tournament, we sit down with our second Mighty Eagle wrestler of the week! World Games qualifier Ketzel Jefferson tells us about her journey with sumo and what we can expect this weekend in San Antonio.
The W.I.N. is streaming on Lonestar Sumo and Dark Circle Sumo's YouTube channels as well as Dark Circle's Facebook and Twitch this Saturday at 10 AM Central!
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Meet the best taxidermist in all of sumo: Mighty Eagle's Simone Longe! Though injury has sidelined her for the summer, she's still hanging with the team and looking to heal up ASAP.
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SPOILERS THRU DAY 8
Haklfway through the March tournament and we have a surprise leader, a man whose name Jake dares not speak aloud...
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This week we check in with Eric Huynh out of Raijin Sumo Club in North Carolina and his ongoing war against his neighborhood trees.
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We're just days away from the March tournament and we're getting hyped. For the gamblers out there, what's the over/under on how long it takes Ryan to learn how to end a podcast?
Also in case you missed it on Sumo Kaboom's excellent Valentine's Day episode, stay tuned after the credits for Mak's belated punishment from January: "Abi's Special Treat."
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Today we sit down with Makini Manu, gold medalist in December's NASC tournament in Vegas and all around butt-kicker. Makini tries his hand at everything, from football to pro wrestling to... dodgeball?
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Ryan actually did a great job on this one. Nobody tell him though, his ego is big enough already.
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How much sumo can fit under one roof? 2021 US heavyweight champ Jose and World Games qualifier Yaleidy Galindo test the limits.
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As an excuse to revisit fun stories from the deep history of sumo (or at least the last few years), we introduce the Grand Sumo Breakdown Miscellaneous Hall of Fame or Whatever We Want. It's a working title, give us a break. We plan to continue the series soon, so send us your ideas for nominations!
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It's about time we had another Iowan on the show! Today we catch up with Ohayo Sumo's Jake Book about his start in sumo and his personal quest into the history of sumo here in America.
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We're joined by our rivals from Sumo & Sake to discuss the upcoming season to crown the Texas State Sumo champions of 2022. We laugh, we learn, we teach some fellow podcasters how it's really done. Keep an eye on the Lonestar Sumo Youtube channel for the Texas Classic on February 19th!
Language warning because Justin has a potty mouth
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This banzuke's a doozy. Between a huge pileup at the top and a huge gulf in the middle, there's only one tattooed celebrity who can bring us through this...
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The first tournament of 2022 is in the books and boy did it deliver some crazy matches and surprises. Join us to hear what we think of our newest ozeki, the condition of our beleaguered yokozuna's knees, and much more!
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Jake and Mak check in with the rapidly-growing Ohayo Sumo Association out of Ohio (A+ pun, bravo). Darius is a co-founder of the original club and Ben has recently started a "franchise" club in Dayton. Find Ohayo Sumo on Facebook to join in if you're in the area and look for the Ohayo Sumo podcast for more interviews around the community.
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SPOILERS THROUGH DAY 8
Can Mitakeumi keep it up? Can Terunofuji come back? Do we take Tamawashi for granted? Can Akua go one day without landing on his face? All this and more!
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This week we're checking in with our national champ and lead light-heavyweight representative at the world games, Andrew Roden. Despite having no local team to train with, Andrew has managed to clean house at both major tournaments in 2021 and now has his sights set on winning in Birmingham.
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2021 is done and over with. Join the GSB crew to preview the opening tournament of the first calendar year of the Terunofuji era. Here's to new years and... new podcast rivals?
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We are joined today by Ryan's banzuke oyakata, Leonid of the Tachiai.org blog! Leonid is one of the top banzuke minds out there and it's always great to have him show us how it's done.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Due to travel/holidays/covid, our last show of the year is a bit shortened, but please join us to review the year that was 2021 in professional sumo and what's to come in 2022.
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Vegas 2021 spoilers! Go check out the full tournament video on Sumo Kaboom's youtube channel if you want to watch
To kick off our post-event coverage, we were joined by women's light heavyweight champ Helen Delpopolo. We talk about her first couple trips to Worlds and where sumo can go from here.
(Also shoutout to Lauren Bowser, it was a blast meeting and hanging out with you guys after recording!)
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
How deep in the weeds can we get on hypothetical banzuke creation rules? At least a little deeper apparently.
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Our last interview before the big show is none other than Justin Kizzart, the head honcho at Dark Circle Sumo in Austin TX. Please forgive the occasional audio issues, it just wasn't our day technology-wise...
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We're joined by Cornelius Booker for his thoughts on training for Vegas and the matchup he's looking forward to the most.
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Our next guest is Marky of Appalachian Sumo Club. We talk about injuries, pro sumo, and the absolute joy of traveling by air as a sumo wrestler.
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It's time for the Kyushu Review-shu! Mak may or may not be on the verge of death tonight by the sounds of things, but we've never let that bring our podcast down.
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Today we were joined by Honu Sumo's JJ, Christina, and Mengkin for a really fun time. You know things are going well when your dumb editor starts things off by forgetting to hit record... The North American Sumo Championships are coming up on December 11th in Las Vegas!
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We checked in with Dallas Sumo Club to see how they were preparing. They are sending Corey and Khalil to the big show this year. Stay hyped for the North American Sumo Championships, December 11th in Las Vegas!
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Eros Armstrong went undefeated in heavyweight and openweight women's sumo at nationals in June. Can she keep the streak going in Vegas? If you'd like to chat with us too, make sure to reach out!
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Next up is 2021 middleweight champ Coringa Conway. Keep an eye out for Iron Wave Sumo if you are looking for somewhere to try sumo in the southeast. If you'd like to chat with us too, make sure to reach out!
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
SPOILERS THROUGH DAY 8
8 down, 7 to go. The top of the leaderboard isn't super shocking, but still plenty to talk about in this first week of sumo. Join us to discuss the highlights and head-scratchers so far.
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We caught up with Dark Circle Sumo's Alex. We met Alex at Nationals this summer, his first tournament ever. Join us for a chat about how his training's progressed and what he's hoping for in Vegas. If you'd like to chat with us too, make sure to reach out!
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A notable absence from the North American Championships this year will be Kyle Ferriter, the reigning US openweight champ. Kyle is unfortunately battling an injury and we hope to see him back on the circuit soon. If you'd like to chat with us too, make sure to reach out!
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
In the lead up to the North American Sumo Championships in Las Vegas, we will be checking in with some of the competitors and clubs who'll be doing their best to qualify for Worlds. First up is our pal Caleb from the Mighty Eagle Sumo Club in San Antonio TX. If you'd like to chat with us too, make sure to reach out!
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
The last basho of 2021 is upon us, join us to discuss the very first officially post-Hakuho tournament.
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With the Kyushu tournament just around the corner, join us for some well-earned gloating from Ryan. Basho starts 11/14, look for our preview around the 8th or so.
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With the Kyushu basho on the horizon, the guys sit down and discuss the elephant-sized hole that will appear on the Banzuke. That's right, the Yokozuna Hakuho has retired. Check out a brief run down of his career and some of the guys' favorite highlights.
Theme Music by David Hall via SoundCloud
With Hakuho retired, we figured now would be a great time to check in with friend of the show and resident Hakuho career expert Mr. JWags. Go check out his channel on YouTube for his excellent Shadow of Hakuho series about what sumo would have looked like if the GOAT never existed.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud.
GSB drinking game rules: 1 drink for each of "I did some research," "precipitously," or "arbitrarily, 2 drinks for each time you can tell Jake's attention span has run out. God help any poor soul who attempts this....
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D'oh! We managed to record during the tiny window between the basho ending and the big Hakuho news.... Join us here to discuss the basho but make sure to look around for more news on The Boss and a bonus episode from us sometime soon on his career.
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SPOILERS THROUGH DAY 8
A weird start to the basho seems to have mellowed to a more comfortable midway situation. How do you think week 2 is going to go?
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
For the first time in 18 months, GSB is recording in person again! A perfect way to celebrate 4 years in the podcasting game. We won't be doing this every time, but keep an eye out for our live previews and recaps on Youtube.
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Want to take over Ryan's job as new banzuke wizard? Listen in to find out how!
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
The GSB guys finally have a chance to confront their dastardly nemesis and se what he has to say for himself.
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Sorry for the wait, it's been a very busy time for the GSB crew. At long last, please join us for our recap of our trip to Texas for the 2021 National Championship. Special thanks to our guests: fellow fan Austin as well as Florida Sumo Club's Tyler and Coringa!
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Ryan and Jake take a look ahead to the Aki basho that starts in... 7 weeks?! Damn, this is going to be a long off-season.
Theme Music by David Hall via SoundCloud
You may now return to the regular part of your seat after spending the last few days on the edge. The nail-biting, butt-clenching tension of the finale in Nagoya is over, but the amateurish pontificating has barely begun. Btw, timestamp is about 1:19:00 for the punishment you have all been waiting for...
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SPOILERS THROUGH DAY 8
We are half way through the Nagoya basho and thus far it is neck and neck for the two co-leaders. The guys discuss their favorite matches thus far and try to comprehend what the heck Tobizaru was thinking on day 7.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
We're actually wrestling outside the Kokugikan for the first time in over a year and we have a mawashi-load of storylines to cover. Join us as we try to make sense of it all.
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Join Ryan and Mak as they discuss how the Banzuke shook out for the 2021 Nagoya Basho. We invite you all to share in our raw emotions and therapeutic rage as we move down the ranks.
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Been a while since we've done one of these, and our apologies for not covering all the great questions we received. Guess we'll just have to do part 3 real soon.
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Join us to discuss the life and times of the recently retired yokozuna and reflect on Flyric's questionable financial investments. Stay til the end for trivia as well.
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Basho ended a week ago? Y'all know what time it is. Time for Ryan to spend absurd amounts of time and effort trying in vain to guess the next ranking order.
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The May basho gave us another dramatic finish and some compelling storylines going into July. Thank you again to all of our new donors on Patreon!
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Spoilers through day 8
Today we discuss the first week of the May tournament and also send out some special words to our listeners who've been kind enough to donate to our new Patreon. Find us on patreon.com if you'd like to contribute, every patron gets a shout out every basho and every dollar is reinvested in improving our show.
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Holy cow, has it really been a whole year since we did our silly basho simulator thing? Glad to have real sumo in May this year. Check out our new Patreon in the coming days if you are interested in some of the coolest rewards a sumo podcast can offer!
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
With the awful news of Hibikiryu's passing due to his injury in the March tournament, we thought we should follow up on our recent injury episode before the next basho gets underway. Our sincerest condolences to his family and stablemates.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Ryan, Mak, and Jake go over the banzuke for our upcoming basho and see if Mak's supercomputer is finally catching up to Ryan's regular ol' brain when it comes to predicting the rankings.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
With the recent terrible injury to Hibikiryu, we thought it was about time we had a deeper discussion on some of the many injuries we've seen in sumo. Please note we are not healthcare professionals or anything, but we do think there are some common sense improvements that can be made to this sport we love.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Ryan and Jake discuss what the rankings will look like for May and do our part to raise awareness for those suffering from SVD (Seasonal Vikings Disorder).
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For our yearly dose of posting garbage on our favorite date, please join us this year for some long lost footage from the golden age of American sumo wrestling. Special thanks to our guests, Whatta, Sumo Kaboom, Mr JWags, and our field correspondent B.
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Sports' greatest comeback has been completed! We chat about Terunofuji's win and how Jake is coping with Takayasu choking... Stay tuned till the end for your voicemails on the yokozuna retirement discussion from last time.
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Spoilers through Day 8
Halfway through another Nokozuna basho and the leaders are beginning to emerge. Join us to discuss and leave us a voicemail on if you think the Yokozuna need to retire at 805-613-SUMO (7866).
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Did this off-season feel particularly long to anyone else? Glad it's over. Check out our Youtube page in the next few days if you want to see our first attempt at recording a whole podcast of our ugly mugs live.
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Ryan, Mak, and Jake review the banzuke for March. #JusticeForDaieisho
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Now that he's called it a career, let's take a look back on the legendary Kotoshogiku and toss in some fun music trivia while we're at it.
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From deep in the annals of the "I Thought I Posted This Episode Already" archives comes our January 2021 interview with Blaine Henry, curator of The Fight Library, a hub for combat sports of all kinds. Check out his podcast and blog for boxing, MMA, jiu-jitsu, and even weird stuff like sumo wrestling!
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Join Mak, Jake, and Ed for our fifth and final (for now) episode on learning to exercise like a sumo wrestler. Check out ussumo.org for more on the United States Sumo Federation.
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Join Ryan and Jake to predict the banzuke for March. What will become of the wrestlers who had to sit out for covid precautions? Nobody's really certain.
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6 years in a row now we have had a surprise winner in January. Enjoy this and other fascinating fun facts in our action-packed recap of the basho.
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SPOILERS THROUGH DAY 8
Sorry to get this one out late, some scheduling conflicts going on in the GSB family. Let us know who you think is going to win in yet another weird January basho.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
2021 brings us it's first tournament with a lot of storylines at the top of the division. This is going to be a wild one.... If it isn't cancelled...
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Happy New Year and good riddance to 2020! We're joined by Tachiai.org's Leonid to review the banzuke for January.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Check out our results from our second annual popularity poll. Big thank you to everyone who responded and helped spread the word, we got way more responses than last year! Let us know if there are any particular comparisons or results you'd like to hear more about.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
It's finally here! The gargantuan, star-studded, literally-marathon-length recap episode to the hot mess of a year that was 2020. With special guests: Sumo Kaboom, Mr JWags, USSF's Ed, Sumo Mainichi, Tachi-Ai's Andy, Jason Harris, and our field correspondent B! Stay tuned after the credits for our favorite GSB punishments of the year.
Music by Mr JWags and David Hall via SoundCloud
Part 4 of our series on sumo fitness focuses on stretching out those hips.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Ryan and Jake predict the banzuke for January. Will we have another basho with a screwy san-yaku?
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
November's in the books, come get you some of that sweet, sweet recap content. Keep an eye out for our popularity poll and year-end review coming up.
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Spoilers through day 8
Halfway through the basho and the leaders are beginning to separate from the pack, both in the actual sumo and in the GSB prediction challenge...
Theme Music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Time to hit some stuff. Join Mak and Jake to add another sumo exercise to our routine.
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Ready for sumo to be back so we have more than American politics to talk about? Us friggin' too. Enjoy a longer-than-most preview of the upcoming basho and make sure to tell us who you think will win it this time around.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Banzuke time! Ryan and Jake review where everyone is at for the upcoming November basho and revisit fun Halloween junk one more time. Please note due to some technical issues we recorded this several days before release and the fellow podcast we advertised (Semi-Sages of the Pages) has already done their Halloween stream. You can check it out here: YouTube Link
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Mak and Jake have survived the first two weeks of shiko. Time for Ed to add a new method of torture for us.
Theme music by David Hall via Soundcloud
For our SpOoOoOkiest episode yet, we create the best wrestler we can out of the bits and pieces of others. Send us your recommendations that you think would be better.
Theme Music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Ever wanted to learn a little bit more about what sumo wrestlers do to work out? Join Jake and Mak as we chat with the Unites States Sumo Federation's Ed and decide that every day is now leg day. New episodes will be roughly every other week. If you want to follow along with the workout, start with at least 50 shiko every day until next episode.
Bonus musical treat from MrJWags at the end
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Ryan and Jake discuss our prediction for what the banzuke will look like for the Kyushu November tournament while Jake tries to finish his dinner.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Time for another epically long recap episode and a whole month with no more sumo. Check out out a preview of our next high-profile interview at 1:19:53 and our utterly horrifying rap battle punishment at 1:29:00
Sick beats by Mr JWags and theme music by David Hall via SoundClound
SPOILERS THROUGH DAY 8
Yet another wacky Aki. How does this tournament get weird every single year?
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
After a shorter-than-normal offseason, we're back to sumo! Join us for some personal news and our thoughts on the upcoming basho.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
For the final episode on our "Not-So" simulated basho from May, join Ryan, Mak, and Jake to go over how closely the simulation reflected the actual results. Stay til the end for one more theme song from MrJWags.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Join Ryan, Mak, and Jake to go over a pretty strange banzuke and discuss our inevitable future overlord: Mak's Banzuke Computer. Special shout out to MrJWags on youtube for the guest music at the end.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
Ryan and Jake go over how we think the banzuke will shake out in September. What on earth do you do with a maegashira who wins a tournament from the absolute bottom ranks? Well, luckily we have precedent from checks SumoDB TWO TOURNAMENTS AGO?!
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
As promised on our recap episode, we split out the news segment to cut down the length of our already-enormous show. Join us for our discussion on the Abi and Shikihide-beya situations (as of 8/8/20.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
What a way to get back into sumo! It had everything we've come to love in 2020: no yokozuna completing the basho, maegashira 17s winning, and Jake embarrassing himself with a song punishment.... Anyway, sorry it's getting released a bit late, but we made up for it with the extreme length. If you'd like to respond to our ad, feel free to leave us a message at 805-613-SUMO (7866)
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SPOILERS THROUGH DAY 7
God it's great to have sumo back, isn't it? Join us for our thoughts on week 1.
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Sumo's back! After approximately one billion years, we will finally get to see real wrestling again. Join us to cover what's been going on in the world of sumo and what we expect to see next.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud
The Not-So Basho is over and for our final podcast on the event, we discuss the process of simulating an entire sumo tournament with nothing but blood, sweat, and spreadsheets.
Content warning: extremely nerdy
Thanks again to everyone who helped along the way.
Theme song by MrJWags
Join Ryan and Jake for the final episode within the Twilight-Zone-esque world of the Not-So basho. Ryan predicts a banzuke that will never exist and we power down the simulation machine for good.
Theme music by MrJWags
The Not-So Basho is in the books! Thank you to everyone who followed along and everyone who helped out. Check out match coverage and storylines on Tachiai.org, videos on Youtube by Tanar Dial, and thank you again to MrJWags for the amazing theme song!
10 days down, 5 to go! Check out Tachiai.org for more commentary. Please note that within the world of the simulation, we act like everything is real, we promise there's no actual sumo you are missing.
Theme music by MrJWags
Join us to break down the first 5 days of our (simulated) basho! Please note that within the world of the simulation, we act like everything is real, we promise there's no actual sumo you are missing.
Theme music by MrJWags
Ryan and Jake break down the specifics of how you can keep up with our simulated Not-So Basho. Make sure to find us on Twitter and follow along on our blog, grandsumobreakdown.wordpress.com
Theme music by MrJWags
Welcome to the twilight zone! This is our preview episode for the cancelled basho that we will be simulating. Listen back to our Natsu 2020 Cancellation episode for more details and send us your thoughts on what you hope to "see" this tournament. Explicit language in post-credits bit
The new and kick-ass Not-So theme is by @MrJWags and our regular theme music is by David Hall via SoundCloud
Join us for a chat with Ed Suczewski of the United States Sumo Federation, a longtime sumo fan and national champion wrestler.
Theme music by David Hall via SoundCloud