Thursday, January 28, 2010

Home Town Hero

Aloha, Friend!
Welcome to Thursday
in
Waikiki


click on the photos to capture the rich juices
When we first moved to Hawaii
we enjoyed watching Sumo wrestling on TV.
Now it's pay-per-view (and I ain't paying) but it was very popular here, especially in the 90s because a few local boys made it to Yokozuna status. Perhaps the most popular was Konishiki,
since retired and returned to Oahu.
Above is a Honolulu restaurant that appeals to locals and Japanese visitors alike.


What comes to mind when you hear the term: "Professional Athlete?"
Here is a picture of the beloved sports hero at the height of his career.



Recently he appeared on morning TV (at left, above).
He has lost a lot of weight, now that his career doesn't require him
to shove other giants out of the circle.
Here is Bruddah IZ' tribute in song to the Hawaii Sumotri:



And here is a short video of a Sumo match:



ALOHA, Sports Fans!
cloudia

26 comments:

Akannie said...

Cloudia...

I've always been intrigued by the sport, and amazed by these giant babies pushing each other around!

Amazing he could lose all that weight...or more, that he could have carried it around in the first place.

Thanks for stopping by Elegant blessings .... you know, I was in Oahu back in '92, and still talk about making it back someday...

loveya, girl!

the walking man said...

Now I want to gain some weight!

SandyCarlson said...

They do look like big babies. An interesting sport. The sheer mass of these guys astounds me.

Kavita Saharia said...

I have never seen them in real ,seen few reports made on their life by National Geographic though.Loosing all that weight is amazing.

Kavita Saharia said...

I have never seen them in real ,seen few reports made on their life by National Geographic though.Loosing all that weight is amazing.

Sumandebray said...

It is amazing how they can gain all that weight in the first place.... I read a few things about the Sumo wrestlers but to be honest it never excited me enough to sit and watch a bout ... I am a non violent creature anyways!!!

Fireblossom said...

....There used to be a commercial I thought was cute, where a wrestling coach is telling this sumo guy, "Calories, calories, calories!!!" But when the coach walks away, the sumi wrestler sneaks a Diet Coke, just cos he loves the taste, lol.

(psssst...I like Diet Coke better than regular, too!)

Fireblossom said...

that's "sumo", not "sumi". Do you speak Typonese, Clouds?

I probably just said something obscene or ridiculous in Japanese.

Couture Carrie said...

Intriguing!

xoxox,
CC

Charles Gramlich said...

I don't think I'm ever going to be a fan of Sumo wrestling. But then I'm not a Greek wrestling fan either.

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

I like this sport.
<><

BLOGitse said...

Aloha and posting how to protect your photographs (or try at least!)
from
sunny Cairo! :)

http://BLOGitse.blogspot.com

Pearl said...

Ah!

It really is like a vacation over here, Cloudia!

Pearl

Maude Lynn said...

Can you imagine being that BIG? Amazing!

Elizabeth Bradley said...

The Husband lived in Japan for a short time, and he's a sumo fan and he got our kids into it. They do look like big over-fed babies. Wow, that guy should write a diet book, he's really lost a ton!

carmilevy said...

Israel? Cool!

I've always wanted to see a match in-person. Some things, like rocket launches and, yes, Sumo wrestling matches, simply don't translate well to television. They much be experienced first-hand so every sense can get in on the action.

I can always count on you to open my eyes. So good to have caring friends online like you!

Anonymous said...

Remember seeing him and his "fights". Always impressive. Thank you for these memories. Wishing to be able to have that much weight in life as well.

A wonderful Friday for you all.

Cloudia said...

This is like bird watching.

I put out some nuts & seeds,
and all of you elegant, musical blog-izens land here and bless the place!

I'm blown away by the quality of YOU persons who honor me with these fabulous comments!

Dianne said...

it's incredible how different he looks

DeniseinVA said...

A fascinating sport indeed. I remember Brother Iz and this song. I listened to it many times and now I know the man he dedicated it to. Thank you Cloudia. Aloha my friend.

Rosaria Williams said...

That's one sport I can truly miss.

Cloudia said...

Great to see you! Thanks-

Galaxy6139 said...

so BIG guys SUMO ^-^ HEAVY...

Unknown said...

KONISIKI is a very pleasant person.

The song is good, too.

The dance is good, too.

He is popular very much.

Cloudia said...

Aloha Galaxy & Skhiko!

Teresa said...

My uncle's family lived in Japan during the 80's. My aunt and eldest cousin were big fans of Konishiki! Thanks for the memories.