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Legendary,
record-holding Yokozuna MUSASHIMARU joined California Sumo
Association members for several events nationwide:
Musashimaru joined California
Sumo Association and US Sumo Open competitors for a special
150th anniversary commemoration of US-Japan relations in Washington
D.C. on April 3-4, 2004. On April 3, Musashimaru and CSA members
participated in two sumo demonstrations on the martial arts
stage at the National Cherry Blossom Festival. On April 4,
Musashimaru was the guest of honor at the annual Japan Bowl.
Musashimaru also coached CSA members and visiting students
of Japanese in proper sumo technique.
Upon returning to Los Angeles, Musashimaru was interviewed
at a press conference, and also was a special guest at a dinner
hosted by the Japan America Society on April 5.
On April 6, Musashimaru was cheered on by nearly 1,000 fans
at the US Sumo Open as he appeared to greet the crowd and
participate in the kagamiwari (sake barrel breaking ceremony).
In celebration of the US-Japan anniversary, Musashimaru was
joined by representatives of the Japan Foundation and the
Consulate General of Japan.
National
Cherry Blossom Festival |
Press Conference
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| Musashimaru and CSA Director Andrew Freund speak
at the press conference in Los Angeles on April 6. |
Musashimaru answers questions for both Japanese
and American media. |
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Dinner Reception
with Musashimaru
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Musashimaru entertains guests at the celebration
dinner on April 5. |
Dinner guests ask Musashimaru questions. |
2004 US SUMO OPEN
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| Timur Baatar accepts the lightweight silver medal for the
second year in a row. |
With his second consecutive lightweight gold medal, Joe Davis
wins a bottle of Hakutsuru Sake. |
Middleweight champion Kena Heffernan poses with fellow Hawaiian,
Musashimaru. |
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| Heavyweight medallists Petar Stoyanov (Bulgaria), Tyler Tuione
(USA), and Jondo Darbundashvili (Georgia) pose with Musashimaru. |
Two Hawaiians (Kena Heffernan and Musashimaru) with two Bulgarians
(Mongolian-born Timur Baatar and Petar Stoyanov). |
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2005 Grand Sumo
Open
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| MUSASHIMARU was our
special guest at the August 14, 2005 Grand Sumo Open in Little
Tokyo (Los Angeles), the first event ever to include both active
amateur and professional sumo wrestlers. |
2005 Grand Sumo
Las Vegas
| MUSASHIMARU was
a featured guest and speaker at Grand Sumo Las Vegas, the historic
pro sumo competition at Mandalay Bay on October 7-9, 2005 |
2006 US SUMO OPEN
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| MUSASHIMARU was a repeat special
guest at the 2006 US Sumo Open, serving as commentator and judge. |
Ocean's 13
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| MUSASHIMARU (in pink)
is a featured sumo wrestler in this film, competing against
long-time rival and fellow Grand Champion (both from Hawaii),
AKEBONO. Shooting took place in Los Angeles in September, 2006. |
Photos: Chieko Hayashi, Chuck Green
California
Sumo Association |