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.

Sumo Kaboom on social media

Episodes

  • 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!

  • 223: Days 11-15 of the July 2024 Basho

    July 31st, 2024  |  51 mins 22 secs
    basho, terunofuji

    How the July 2024 basho ended... with a dai yokozuna!

  • 222: July Basho Days 4 - 10

    July 24th, 2024  |  56 mins 2 secs
    2024, basho, july, nagoya, sumo, terunofuji

    Who are we watching in this awesomely amazing sumo tournament?

  • 221: July Basho, Days 1 - 3

    July 17th, 2024  |  46 mins 24 secs
    dallas cowboy cheerleaders, days 1-3, nagoya, sumo

    The heat is on, and the sumo begins in Nagoya!

  • 220: The Banzuke for July 2024

    July 10th, 2024  |  53 mins 3 secs
    2024, banzuke, july, sumo

    It's banzuke time! Who is climbing up? Who is caught in a sumo eddy? And who is falling down?

  • 219: Oyakatas Part 3 - Tokiwayama

    July 3rd, 2024  |  37 mins 20 secs
    coach, oyakata, sumo, takakeisho, tokiwayama

    That smiley gentleman who sings at most of the fan events, that's a sumo coach! Takakeisho's coach, in fact! Continuing with our exploration of sumo head coaches.

  • 218: Oyakatas Part 2 - Asakayama and Sakaigawa

    June 25th, 2024  |  39 mins 50 secs
    asakayama, oyakata, poodle, sakaigawa

    We're covering two more sumo coaches this week! We could title this episode poodles and heroes.

  • 217: Oyakatas of the Futagoyama and Arashio Stables

    June 19th, 2024  |  33 mins 43 secs
    arashio, futagoyama, oyakata, stable

    Who are the sumo coaches? We see them around - these men wearing suits and speaking about their recruits. But, we don't know a lot about them, so let's learn together!

  • 216: What Happens After Retirement?

    June 12th, 2024  |  38 mins 57 secs
    after retirement, retirement

    After a short chat about Buccee's and some news, Leslie talks about what happens to sumo wrestlers after they leave sumo.