Sumo Kaboom

Leslie and Laurie, 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

  • 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.

  • 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?

  • 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!

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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?

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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!