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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Chiyotairyu and Hiradoumi
August 31st, 2022 | 40 mins
chiyotairyu, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, hiradoumi, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
Everything you ever wanted to know about Chiyotairyu. And who is this new guy, Hiradoumi?
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Sumo Trivia!
August 24th, 2022 | 45 mins 23 secs
comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament, trivia
We're playing Sumo Trivia today! Test your sumo-related trivia brain!
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Ash Warren and The Way of Salt
August 17th, 2022 | 53 mins 9 secs
ash warren, comedy, culture, grand sumo, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament, way of salt
Need a good book about sumo and Japan culture? We're talking to Ash Warren, who wrote the book you need.
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Naruto and Gagamaru
August 10th, 2022 | 40 mins 2 secs
comedy, gagamaru, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, kotooshu, naruto, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
Continuing with our Eastern European theme, we focus on Kotooshu, or Naruto oyakata, and Gagamaru.
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Eastern European Wrestlers and Tochinoshin
August 3rd, 2022 | 48 mins 49 secs
comedy, eastern, europe, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tochinoshin, tournament
Why are there so many wrestlers from Eastern Europe? And, who is Tochinoshin? Why do people adore him?
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Days 11-15 of the Nagoya Tournament and BINGO Winners
July 27th, 2022 | 56 mins 42 secs
basho, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, ichinojo, improv comedy, japan, july, kaboom, nagoya, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
Breaking down the BINGO and the sumo in the final few days of the Nagoya July tournament.
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Days 4-10 of the July Basho
July 19th, 2022 | 52 mins 6 secs
2022, basho, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, july, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
Our favorite moments from days 4-10 of the July basho.
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Days 1-3 of July's Basho with Grand Sumo Breakdown
July 13th, 2022 | 1 hr 3 mins
basho, breakdown, comedy, grand sumo, gsb, highlights, improv comedy, japan, july, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
Breaking down our favorite sumo matches with Mak of the Grand Sumo Breakdown Podcast. Also a little spotlight on Nishikifuji and his favorite artist.
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July Banzuke and The World Games
July 6th, 2022 | 55 mins 10 secs
banzuke, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament, world games
The July tournament and The World Games begin this weekend. If you are a sumo fan, this is a double scoop of sumo fun!
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Lynn Matsuoka's Life in Art and Sumo
June 29th, 2022 | 56 mins 30 secs
art, chiyonofuji, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, lynn, lynn matsuoka, nhk, podcast, reportage, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
Lynn Matsuoka is a reportage artist, sumo commentator, and so much more. If you like hearing stories about Chiyonofuji, Konishiki, Hakkaku, Wakanohana, and Takanohana, you'll love this episode. Also, if you are an artist, this one's for you.
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Gyoji History According to Leslie and "Papa" Gyoji
June 22nd, 2022 | 50 mins 30 secs
comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
If you thought the JSA was tough on wrestlers, wait until you hear how tough it is on gyoji.
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Asanoyama Returns and The Cowboy Cup Takes Off
June 15th, 2022 | 44 mins 50 secs
asanoyama, comedy, cowboy cup, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
The episode features pro and amateur sumo. A favorite pro wrestler will be back in the mix soon, and there's a new amateur sumo event in town!
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Retirement, Sopranistas and Demons
June 8th, 2022 | 41 mins 8 secs
comedy, demon, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, haircutting, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, kakka, nhk, okamoto, podcast, retirement, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tomotaka, tournament
A bit of history about hair cutting ceremonies and a deep dive into two artists we've seen at sumo retirement ceremonies- Tomotaka Okamoto and Demon Kakka.
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The Plum Haters, Aminishiki and Hokutofuji
June 1st, 2022 | 36 mins 59 secs
aminishiki, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, hokutofuji, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, music, nhk, plums, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
Two sumo wrestlers. One had his retirement ceremony this week. The other still wrestles in the top division.
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The Ending of the May Basho and BINGO
May 25th, 2022 | 53 mins 15 secs
2022, basho, bingo, comedy, grand sumo, grand sumo highlights, improv comedy, japan, kaboom, may, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
We cover our favorite fights of the final 4 days of the basho in this episode and discuss BINGO winners.
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May Basho Days 4 - 10
May 18th, 2022 | 54 mins 50 secs
2022, basho, comedy, grand sumo, japan, kaboom, may, nhk, podcast, sumo, sumo kaboom, sumo wrestling, tournament
This tournament feels strange. But, we firmly believe that Shodai Can Still Win It (note sarcasm). So yeah, our sumo commentary matches this odd basho.