Sports Japan - 2013/02/17

Feb. 17, Sun.

Looking at the Kokugikan and Yokozuna Taiho
[Focus]
1. The Allure and Pleasures of the Kokugikan
The Kokugikan sumo hall has a history of more than 100 years. It was destroyed by the Great Kanto Earthquake of 1923 and badly damaged again during the World War Two air raids but rebuilt each time and the present building dates from 1985. The first thing you see on entering is the various trophies awarded to the wrestlers. The Prime Minister's Cup is surely the most striking. There is also a Chaya-dori - Teashop Street - which recreates the feel of old Japan where visitors are guided by kimono-clad dekata attendants. Sumo pictures adorn the souvenir tea bowls and fans in the Kokugikan's own special touch. There are free English pamphlets for beginners too, which give a brief outline of the history of sumo and what to look for in the bouts.
The ringside seats close to the action and box seats for groups are especially popular. You can also eat in the box seats and the yakitori skewered chicken is particularly famous. The idea is that the chickens are lucky in sumo because they can stay upright on two feet without, of course, ever touching the ground with a hand. Some 40,000 sticks are sold each day. The Kokugikan could also be described as a playground for savoring the full flavor of sumo.
2. Taiho, A Famous Yokozuna
The 48th yokozuna, Taiho, passed away during the January tournament at the age of 72. Said to have been the strongest yokozuna ever, he gave hope and dreams to countless Japanese people. More than 1,500 sumo concerned people and fans saw him off at the funeral service on January 31. Taiho rose to prominence in the 1950's just as Japan's rapid economic growth was about to begin. Television was spreading and he had TV audiences glued to the set for his bouts. He was a big wrestler at 1m87cm tall but it wasn't only about power; he had superior skills as well. He was feared too, for his extraordinary ability to rescue victory even from the jaws of defeat by using his opponents' own techniques against them. He won his first championship in 1960 and became the youngest ever yokozuna at the time in the following year at the age of 21 years and 3 months. That strength, though, was the product of extremely rigorous training. He wasn't so blessed physically when first entering sumo but built up his muscles and polished his technique through fierce practice. Taiho won 32 championships, 8 of them without dropping a single bout.
[Science Lens]
Long-distance Running
What is the best form for long-distance running? What's the most efficient stride? We analyze the astonishing running of the renowned Kenyan athletes in search of those ultimate keys.
[Guest]
"H.E."Demon Kakka

Musician and TV personality. Well-versed in sumo, he makes guest appearances as a commentator on sumo relays and other sumo-related broadcasts. This is his third appearance on the show.

---

  Dropped video frames
  
    Found average frame timing of 33 ms
  
        Line     Duration (ms)    Time window
  No missing frames
  
  Total frames: 50399
  

---

This video has no dropped frames so has been marked as CFR by removing the timecodes. It will play on the PS3.

Get updates through the Hello Fun Time FaceBook page.

part 1 of 1: http://www.multiupload.nl/TFGACT9OD2