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 January Banzuke

    January 4th, 2023  |  52 mins 51 secs
    banzuke, brothers, january, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    Brothers in professional sumo together? Why, yes! It's happened before, and Leslie will tell ya about it. Plus, Laurie breaks down the the highest section of this banzuke.

  • What's It Really Like?

    December 14th, 2022  |  49 mins 17 secs
    comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, iwatori-zeki, japan, kaboom, lynn, matsuoka, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    Wanna know what it's like joining sumo at age 13? Wanna know how to get sumo wrestlers talking? We have the answers.

  • A Look Back at 2022

    December 7th, 2022  |  47 mins 28 secs
    2022, basho, overview, thanks

    We look back at the winners and stories of 2022. And, sometimes, you simply want to say thank you. Thank you for making this an incredible year.

  • November Basho Days 11-15

    November 30th, 2022  |  55 mins 33 secs
    2022, kyushu, play-off, tournament

    Announcing the BINGO winners and breaking down the sumo on days 11-15 of the November basho.

  • November Basho Days 4 - 10

    November 22nd, 2022  |  1 hr 3 mins
    breakdown, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, kyushu, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    Breaking down the sumo we're watching in the Kyushu basho, 2022.

  • November Basho Begins

    November 16th, 2022  |  34 mins 42 secs
    2022, basho, grand sumo, japan, kyushu, november, sumo, sumo wrestling, tournament

    Some of our favorite moments from days 1-3 of the November, 2022 Japanese sumo tournament

  • Atamifuji and Tobizaru

    November 9th, 2022  |  43 mins 58 secs
    atamifuji, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tobizaru, tournament

    Who is this new guy Atamifuji? And what can you tell me about Tobizaru?

  • Murray Johnson Interview

    November 2nd, 2022  |  46 mins 40 secs
    comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, murray johnson, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    If you listen to English sumo commentary on NHK World, you know his voice. We got to chat with Murray Johnson about the art of commentary, sumo and more.

  • The Halloween Episode with Cryptids of the Corn

    October 26th, 2022  |  47 mins 2 secs
    butts, comedy, cryptids of the corn, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, kappa, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    All about kappas, Japanese mythological creatures that are loosely associated with sumo wrestling.

  • Celebrations and Riots

    October 19th, 2022  |  35 mins 59 secs
    1805, brigade, ceremony, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, kagami baraki, me, nhk, podcast, riot, sake, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    Sake and fire! Hammers and brawls! Firefighters vs. sumo wrestlers. This week, we're talking about the Kagami Baraki ceremony and the Me Brigade Riot of 1805.

  • Sumo Fan Events

    October 12th, 2022  |  50 mins 20 secs
    comedy, fan event, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, jungyo, kaboom, karaoke, nhk, old maid, ping pong, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    From jungyos to fan events, this week we talk about getting up close and personal with your favorite rikishi.

  • Tamawashi

    October 5th, 2022  |  37 mins 56 secs
    baker, comedy, crafter, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, shibatayama, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tamawashi, tournament

    Tamawashi's story is very unique among the world of pro sumo wrestlers.

  • Aki Basho Days 11-15

    September 26th, 2022  |  56 mins 49 secs
    2022, aki, basho, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, henna, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, ozeki, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, takayasu, tamawashi, tournament, wakatakakage

    We're still a bit giddy about this one. The Aki tournament was a blast!

  • Aki 2022 Days 4 - 10

    September 21st, 2022  |  52 mins 40 secs
    4-10, aki, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    Our signature "breakdown" of days 4 - 10 - what we liked, what we loved, and who we are watching.

  • Aki Basho Days 1-3

    September 14th, 2022  |  48 mins 14 secs
    aki, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    It's sumo time again and we still love it!

  • Mitoryu and Kotonowaka

    September 7th, 2022  |  34 mins 37 secs
    comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, kotonowaka, mitoryu, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament

    Learn a little bit about Mitoryu, the newest addition to the top division, and Kotonowaka, who is rising through the top ranks.