[sumo] Ancient sumo grapples with modern times

[Joe Klemmer <klemmerj@webtrek.com>]

Ancient sumo grapples with modern times
Fri 6 February, 2004 03:06 


 By Dan Sloan


TOKYO (Reuters) - Tracing its origins to the dawn of time when gods
grappled for sovereignty over the Japanese isles, the sport of sumo has
an iron grip on national mythology.

But sumo, which emerged as a professional sport in the Edo era from the
17th century, has lately been pushed to ring's edge by tough economic
times and competition from other entertainment.

With waning sponsorship, falling turnout and -- perhaps most troubling
-- the loss of its biggest stars, sumo has been less than agile in
responding to very modern business woes.

Retiring grand champion Musashimaru put it bluntly: "Hello, it's 2004.
We're not in the Edo Era."

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=worldNews&storyID=453088&section=news

-- 
Akebono vs Godzilla!  Coming soon to a theater near you.

[EndPost by Joe Klemmer <klemmerj@webtrek.com>]