The 10th Annual Akita International Sumo Basho (第十回秋田県国際相撲場所) is a charity sumo tournament that was held on June 28th by the Akita Association of JETs. Every year JETs and friends gather from all across Tohoku (and some farther still) to decide who was worthy of the title of Akita's Yokozuna.
Rikishi (participants): ¥500. Arrive no later than 9:30. Upon arrival, volunteers assisted with putting on the mawashi, explaining the rules governing the bouts, and gave tips on how to fight.
Spectators: ¥1,000, kids ¥500
Wrestlers
Men's
Name
Country
Hometown
Akita
Shikona
Slogan
Kassidy Cook
Iowa
South
Kassidilla
To my opponent ... へばな〜！！
Owen Cunningham
Kilkenny
North
相撲猿
SumOweN
oishii dashi
Oliver Gilkes
Tochigi
折刃
The Tree
It's all a bit of fun until I rupture your spleen
Kenneth Grant
Spalding
Central
蹴荷威
Kick Stuff Powderfully
I'll sleep when I'm dead
Kazune Hasegawa
Fukushima
Central
禁愚和
King Kaz
Nothing to fear - with the exception of ghosts
Sebastian Hesse
Pennsylvania
Fukushima
石炭電
Coal Train
Blood and Iron
Todd Horner
Alberta
South
煙突
Smoke Stacks
Guts pose for life
John Lennon
New Hampshire
Central
ゾンビ〜
Zombie
ダイジョウブス
Jim O'Grady
Tipperary
Miyagi
ウイスキー ジィッム
Whiskey Jim
It seemed like a good idea at the time!
David Ranzini
Virginia
Central
妙義 賢闘龍
Myōgi Sakatoryū
Fight smart or die stupid
Dean Ruetzler
Vermont
Morioka
ゴリラの里
Village of Gorillas
ishindenshin
Todd Shaw
Florida
North
危人
Abunai Hito
Win, or murder your opponent tryin'
Women's
Name
Country
Hometown
Akita
Shikona
Slogan
Katie Coburn
Texas
South
キッとキャッと
Kit-Kat
There is only one Lord of the Ring...
Stephanie Hupp
Arkansas
South
Huppster
Defeat is for the weak
Meagan Peat
Ontario
Central
Meaga-Monster
I have made the decisions that I have made in life..
Jan Rambaud
Oregon
Central
キラキラ
Sparkles
I will show you the light... Maybe..
Tournament format
The Men's tournament consisted of 12 men who were divided into 2 groups. After the initial 5 rounds the top 3 wrestlers from each group were assigned numbers from 1 through 6. These 6 men went through 3 rounds to decide the top 2 who then proceeded to the final.
The Women's tournament consisted of 4 women.
Officials
The officiating for the 2014 tournament, as well as special prize decisions was overseen by past and present Akita JETs:
Head Referee/Head Judge - Pat Costello ('07-'11)
Ring-side Judge - Delmer Lopez ('08-'13)
Ring-side Judge - Mark Dawson ('08-'13)
Ring-side Judge - Andrew Lewis ('11-'14)
Publicity
This years event was well publicised with at least two newspapers and two TV stations covering the event.
Only 6 men could progress to the semi-finals. After the men's opening round Oliver and John were guaranteed to progress with scores of 4-1. However 6 men were tied at 3-2, so a play off was needed. 3 fights were held, and the winner of each fight could progress. Then from the 3 losers janken was used to decide the final position (no sumo involved!).
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Canada
United States
Ireland
2014 Basho
Women's scoreboard
Men's scoreboard
