Sumo Kaboom

Leslie and Laurie Collins, Texan sisters and diehard sumo fans, talk about all things sumo.

About the show

Sumo Kaboom!

A weekly podcast dedicated to our favorite sport - sumo wrestling. We chat about tournaments, current events, history and our favorite wrestlers.

We are performers, improvisers, and creators and have absolutely no sumo training. But, we are huge sumo fans.

Having lived in Japan, Leslie loves the history and traditions of sumo. She also has a deep love for sumo karaoke singers. Laurie is fascinated by sumo wrestler fandom, the sumo training regimen and physicality of the sport.

Together, we serve up exciting sumo treats for sumo-curious fans. We share an enthusiasm for sumo and like all sisters, we work amazingly well together. All of the time. There are never any issues. Ever.

We also occasionally send out sumo related content. It is NOT hard-hitting sumo journalism and is usually very silly. If you want to receive our writing about all things sumo or receive notification when Sumo BINGO cards are available, join our Substack below. We won't ever share your info, because we hate spam, too.

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Episodes

  • 239: Kitanofuji

    December 4th, 2024  |  43 mins 42 secs
    kitanofuji

    Kitanofuji - former yokozuna, coach, and sumo commentator. Who was he?

  • 238: Days 11 - 15 of the November Basho

    November 27th, 2024  |  1 hr 5 mins
    hoshoryu, kotozakura, november

    BINGO winners and the end of the basho! Did we love it? Of course we did!

  • 237: Days 4 - 10 of the November Tournament

    November 20th, 2024  |  56 mins 13 secs
    2024, basho, november

    Breaking down some of our favorite moments of the November 2024 basho. Sumo has the highest highs and the lowest lows, and we are down for it all.

  • 236: Days 1-3 of the November Basho

    November 13th, 2024  |  51 mins 5 secs
    2024, basho, days 1-3, november

    Let the sumo begin!

  • 235: The Banzuke, Asakoryu and ShiShi

    November 6th, 2024  |  1 hr 7 mins
    asakoryu, banzuke, november, shishi

    What to expect at the November basho. Who is at the top, and who are the newest guys in the top division?

  • 234: Spooky Sumo Halloween Stories

    October 29th, 2024  |  37 mins 49 secs
    ai, halloween, sumo stories

    Fictional sumo stories from the crypt. Mwaaahahahahahaaaa

  • 233: The Way of Sumo

    October 23rd, 2024  |  44 mins 35 secs
    american, david rios, photo book, us sumo, way of sumo

    David Rios talks to us about his book The Way of Sumo: The American Warrior's Journey.

  • 232: The Physical Toll of the Jungyo

    October 16th, 2024  |  33 mins 19 secs
    gunning, injury, jungyo, neck

    What's a jungyo? And, can changes be made to preserve a wrestler's health?

  • 231: Sweet Saitama & Tottori High

    October 9th, 2024  |  54 mins 17 secs
    onosato, saitama, sweet valley high, tottori

    What's up with these powerhouse sumo high schools? And why do they always remind us of the Sweet Valley High?

  • 230: Onosato the Ozeki and the Hairiest Yokozuna

    October 2nd, 2024  |  39 mins 42 secs
    asanoyama, asashio, konishiki, koto-a-hole, onosato, takasago, tamawashi

    We have a new ozeki! Onosato! And ,we have a hairy yokozuna mystery to solve!

  • 229: Our Japan Trip and BINGO

    September 25th, 2024  |  1 hr 14 mins
    2024, aki, aoiyama, hakuho, japan, kokugikan, konishiki, myogriyu, onosato, sumo, takakeisho, tokyo, travel

    We just got back from Tokyo where we saw sumo live and in person. Pinch us. Life may never be the same.

  • 228: September Banzuke

    September 4th, 2024  |  38 mins 35 secs
    aki, banzuke, tournament

    The Aki Sumo Tournament is right around the corner, and we need a reminder about who is on the banzuke.

  • 227: Shirokuma and Onokatsu

    August 28th, 2024  |  40 mins 56 secs
    onokatsu, shirokumi

    There are two new men in the top division. Who are they?

  • 226: Female Samurai

    August 21st, 2024  |  40 mins 11 secs
    female, nakano takeko, samurai, tomoe gozen

    Let's call this one "sumo adjacent." It's loosely related to sumo, and it's REALLY interesting.

  • 225: Dai-Yokozuna

    August 14th, 2024  |  30 mins 21 secs
    dai-yokozuna, era, reiwa, terunofuji, yokozuna

    The sumo sisters discuss what makes a dai-yokozuna. Hint: it's not all about the numbers!

  • 224: Oyakatas Part 4 - Oitekaze and Hakkaku

    August 7th, 2024  |  35 mins 56 secs
    hakkaku, hokutoumi, oitekaze, oyakata

    Who are these sumo coaches, and why should you know them? Well, one of them was the 61st yokozuna, Hokutoumi!