Re: [sumo] Re: Aki Basho Day 11

[Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]

 --- Ken  <nippon444@excite.com> wrote: 
>  Sumo like other sports needs better PR and
> marketing skills in this era of cable TV and all the
> other alternatives. This is something I find lacking
> with sumo. When I was in Japan in the late 90s never
> did I see a big promo especially on TV before a
> basho.  Also the restrictive lifestyles of the
> rikishis out them at a disadvantage to personalities
> like Ichiro, Matsui (MLB) or Nakata.Finally I
> believe Japanese are becoming internationalize in
> their taste

I totally agree with you.  NFL's Tampa Bay led by
Sapp(Warren, not Bob) and Keyshawn Johnson and New
York Jets played American Bowl at Tokyo Dome in front
of over 43,000 people and it's only an exhibition
match.  

Real Madrid just arrived in Tokyo and had their
practice session at the Tokyo Dome charging admission.
 And they had 45,000 fans showing up and paying for
the practice. Fans don't just come to see a game but
for its stars, Beckham, Figo, Zidane etc  Of course
their team management know full well the interests in
Japan.  Their official web site is in Spanish
(obviously), English and Japanese.

When Ozumo was popular, it had its stars - the last
was the Wakanohana/Takanohana brothers were in their
prime. Prior to that was Chiyonofuju's era.  Those
Kyokai folks need to cultivate their own rikishis and
may even get a good professional PR agency. But at the
end of day they desparately need the stars. 

Their way is to cling to the old way of doing things
as they figiure it worked before and it may again. As
much as they say they want to fill the arenas at
bashos and Jungyo tours, they don't seem to do be
trying harder or doing something radically different. 
They still have their own oyakatas going around the
circuits and usual suspects like town hall denizens
and local store owners and asking them for their
cooperation before the troops visit the town. 

Lot of kids go to soccer and baseball camps now that
it's a summer break but how many kids go to sumo
camps?  They need to sponsor more of these grassroots
activities.  There are still many Japanese kids who
are interested in martial arts and judo which also has
its stars.  

Just like Miyamoto Musashi or "Terminator", they all
want to be strong and fearless.  But then one thing
they don't want to be is becoming a "DEBU".   Sumo may
need some image change and should hammer hard on being
physical active and vibrant. 

I believe one of the good things  coming out from all
those Mongolian rikishis is that they are lighter,
more skill oriented with speed.  They are showing size
isn't everything but full hard contact combined with
agility and skills can make not only pretty exciting
brand of sumo but also winning sumo as well.
        

=====
.....Jonosuke 
  <  Heart  Technique  Physique     ?S   ?Z   ?Ì  >

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[EndPost by Joe Kuroda <joe_kuroda@yahoo.com>]