A Highly-Placed Sumo Fan

[Michael Hiltzik <Michael.Hiltzik@latimes.com>]

The following dispatch moved on Thursday, April 18, from Clinton's 
overseas trip. Are you listening, ESPN?



AM-Clinton-Sumo,510  WHITE HOUSE NOTEBOOK: Clinton Figures Out Sumo
Wrestling  By TERENCE HUNT AP White House Correspondent


   ST. PETERSBURG, Russia (AP) … Hiking up his trousers to squat down, Bill Cl
inton gave his impression of a sumo wrestler preparing for battle. Of course, 
Clinton was in a suit and tie. It was a strange sight.

   Guess who watches sumo wrestling on television for hours at a time.

   Answer: the president.

   Flying here on Air Force One, Clinton said he stumbles onto sumo matches on
 cable while channel surfing at the White House. He said he is fascinated by i
t, trying to figure out the rules. The longest match he saw took 52 seconds