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

  • 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.

  • 215: Kotoeko and a Whole Lotta Retirement Goin’ On

    June 5th, 2024  |  32 mins 18 secs
    koteko, retirement

    Kotoeko announced his retirement. Two others had their retirement ceremonies recently.

  • 214: Days 10-15 of the May Basho

    May 29th, 2024  |  55 mins 20 secs
    basho, kotozakura, may, onosato

    There's a new winner in town. He's young. He's healthy. And every time we try to type his name, it autocorrects to Onomatopoeia.

  • 213: Days 4-9 of the May Basho

    May 21st, 2024  |  49 mins 17 secs
    basho, may

    Exciting basho, isn't it? Let's talk about what's going well and how many injuries are out there.

  • 212: Days 1-3 of the May Basho 2024

    May 15th, 2024  |  40 mins 31 secs
    basho, days 1-3, may

    The basho just started, and we're here to talk about what we've noticed.

  • 211: The May Banzuke, Tokihayate and Oshoma

    May 8th, 2024  |  43 mins 36 secs
    banzuke, may, oshoma, tokihayate

    Chatting about the banzuke and two new men to the top division, Tokihayate and Oshoma.

  • 210: Sumo Content Creators To Follow

    May 1st, 2024  |  39 mins 44 secs
    emilien grenot, hakkeyoi sumo news and stats, patricia dobashi, sarahlovessumo

    Want more sumo content for English speakers? Here are four people to follow.

  • 209: Sumo Wrestlers Sing!

    April 24th, 2024  |  34 mins 48 secs
    charity sumo, daieisho, hiradoumi, kagayaki, karaoke, onosho, singing, song, takayasu

    Sometimes we break down the singing rather than the sumo. Today is one of those days!

  • 208: A Tribute to Akebono

    April 17th, 2024  |  52 mins 46 secs
    akebono, john jacques, lynn matsuoka

    The sumo world lost a legend this week, the first foreign-born yokozuna, Akebono. Stories about Akebono from people who knew him as Chad.