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

  • The Big Boys of Sumo

    April 21st, 2021  |  40 mins 46 secs
    big boys, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, ichinojo, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, kaisei, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    We LOVE 'em big and tall. So, this week we're highlighting the biggest of the past and the biggest of them now - Ichinojo and Kaisei.

  • Sumo Art

    April 14th, 2021  |  42 mins 2 secs
    art, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, hinomaru sumo, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, kototsurugi, manga, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament, ukiyo-e

    The week's episode is all about art, from the artist and sumo wrestler Kototsurugi to Ukiyo-e prints and modern manga.

  • Kids in Sumo. Jake Book. The Hakuho Cup.

    April 7th, 2021  |  38 mins 41 secs
    comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, hakuho cup, improv comedy, jake book, japan, kaboom, kids, nhk, ohayo, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament, youth

    It's all about kids in sumo.

  • March Basho Days 11-15

    March 31st, 2021  |  57 mins 19 secs
    basho, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, march, nhk, ozeki, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, takayasu, terunofuji, tournament

    Our special blend of March 2021 Basho commentary. Leslie's heartbreak. Laurie's excitement.

  • March Basho Days 4-10

    March 23rd, 2021  |  1 hr 2 mins
    basho, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, haru, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, march, nhk, ozeki, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, takayasu, terunofuji, tournament

    So much good sumo! We give you an overview of days 4-10 of the March basho.

  • March Basho Days 1-3, The Hakuho Full Circle

    March 16th, 2021  |  1 hr 8 mins
    asanoyama, comedy, daieisho, days 1 - 3, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, hakuho, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, march basho, midorifuji, nhk, podcast, shodai, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, terunofuji, tournament

    We covered a lot of ground here, because there's a lot of good sumo happening! We go full circle on Hakuho, break down our favorite matches and yet still can't seem to do the conversion of kilos to pounds.

  • Sumo Brothers

    March 10th, 2021  |  42 mins 31 secs
    comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, hidenoumi, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, royal family, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, takanohana, tobizaru, tournament, wakanohana

    Brothers competing in sumo at the same time isn't as unusual as you might think. This week we look at Wakanohana, Takanohana, Hidenoumi, and Tobizaru.

  • Eros Armstrong and Sumo Trailblazers

    March 3rd, 2021  |  43 mins 9 secs
    armstrong, comedy, eros, female, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, olympics, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament, trailblazer, wins, women

    Eros Armstrong and sumo trailblazers. Yeah, we're talking about women in sumo. Because they rock.

  • Black History Month

    February 24th, 2021  |  31 mins 10 secs
    black history, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, henri, henry, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, manny, manny yarbrough, miller, nhk, podcast, sentoryu, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tiny, tournament, yarbrough, yasuke

    Black history in the world of sumo wrestling. We celebrate Yasuke, Henry Sentoryu Miller, and Tiny Manny Yarbrough.

  • Love and Marriage. Sort of.

    February 17th, 2021  |  43 mins 53 secs
    comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, love, marriage, nhk, podcast, poetry, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    Sumo Love and Marriage. Sorta.

  • Pre Bout Rituals

    February 10th, 2021  |  35 mins 43 secs
    abi, asashoryu, chin tap, comedy, crab walk, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, harumafuji, hokutofuji, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, kotoshogiku, nhk, podcast, pre bout, prebout ritual, shuffle, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, takakeisho, takamisakari belly thwacks, takayasu, terutsuyoshi, tochinoshin, tournament

    What so sumo wrestlers do before each match? And why the heck are they doing it?

  • Who's Tochinoumi? Confused about Special Prizes?

    February 3rd, 2021  |  41 mins 54 secs
    comedy, fighting spirit, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, outstanding performance, podcast, sansho, special prizes, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, technique, tochinoumi, tournament

    Yokozuna Tochinoumi - who was he? And, are you confused about Special Prizes? We are too.

  • January Basho, Days 11 - 15

    January 26th, 2021  |  50 mins 44 secs
    comedy, daieisho, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    January basho days 11 - 15. The highlights. The best moves. The weird judging and great slo mo.

  • January Basho Days 4-10

    January 20th, 2021  |  52 mins 46 secs
    basho, comedy, daieisho, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, ozeki, podcast, shodai, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, takakeisho, tournament

    We break down some of our favorite bouts from days 4 - 10.

  • January Basho Days 1-3, Dallas Sumo Club

    January 13th, 2021  |  47 mins 4 secs
    akiseyama, bo taoshi, comedy, daieisho, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, hokutofuji, improv comedy, january basho, japan, kaboom, nhk, ozeki, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    News, Dallas Sumo Club, and January Basho

  • Akiseyama, Midorifuji, and Ikioi

    January 6th, 2021  |  51 mins 9 secs
    akiseyama, comedy, coronavirus, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, ikioi, improv comedy, japan, midorifuji, nhk, nicholas cage, podcast, shaky weights, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    News that covers Bingo to Coronavirus. Discussion of the January banzuke and spotlights on Akiseyama, Midorifuji, and Ikioi.