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
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Reading the Banzuke
February 23rd, 2023 | 41 mins 34 secs
banzuke, star chart
With just a bit of knowledge, you can read the date of your banzuke.
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Sumo Love Part 2: Sexiest Rikishi of 2023
February 14th, 2023 | 53 mins 12 secs
2023, sexiest, sexy, sumo, wrestler
Find out who wins the title of Sexiest Rikishi of 2023
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Sumo Love Part 1
February 8th, 2023 | 31 mins 46 secs
ai chatbot, love, love life, poetry, sumo
February is the month of love, so we're beginning our series about sumo and love. BTW, did you vote for your favorite sumo wrestler in our Annual Sexiest Rikishi Poll?
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Hakuho's Retirement
February 1st, 2023 | 48 mins 35 secs
hakuho, retirement
Hakuho's retirement ceremony happened over the weekend. We thought it a good time to recap his career and give a play by play of his retirement celebration.
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Hatsu, Days 11-15
January 25th, 2023 | 51 mins 38 secs
basho, january, takakeisho, yips
Our breakdown of our favorite moments from days 11 - 15 of the January basho, 2023.
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Hatsu Basho Days 4 - 10
January 18th, 2023 | 59 mins 30 secs
2023, basho, hatsu, january, midorifuji, shodai, takakeisho, translation, wakamotoharu
Looooving this sumo tournament! Here's where we talk about who we are loving and why.
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Hatsu Basho Days 1-3
January 11th, 2023 | 34 mins 50 secs
basho, breakdown
2023's first sumo tournament of the year begins and it's already a bloody affair.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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?
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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.
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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.