76 My Sumo Academia: Talking About Sumo Today and in the Heian Period (Colton Runyan)

On this episode of the Japan Station podcast, Colton Runyan of the University of Cambridge talks to us about his experiences training and competing in sumo, as well asl his research on Heian era physical competitions.

About Colton Runyan Colton Runyan is a Phd candidate at the University of Cambridge and a sumo wrestler who has competed in Japanese college sumo and as part of the US National team. His dissertation research focuses on sporting events of the Heian period.

Topics Discussed

• How Colton Runyan first got into sumo
• The charity sumo tournament in Akita Prefecture that Colton took part in during his time in the JET Programme
• What Colton liked about sumo
• Progressing and improving in sumo
• Doing sumo training at Nihon University
• Doing sumo training at a junior high school
• Teaching, training and competing in sumo in US and other counties
• Going back to Japan to receive proper sumo training
• Meeting Konishiki
• Competing in a college sumo tournament in Japan while a student at Saitama University
• The different paths people take into professional sumo
• The grueling nature of sumo training
• The most frustrating aspect of sumo training for Colton
• Deciding to go to Cambridge and doing research on sumo
• Researching the social, political and economic importance of physical competitions (sumo, horseracing, archery) during the Heian period
• Historical records from Japan's Heian period that document sumo
• A notable sumo tournament from 1013
• Fujiwara no Michiga's interest in horseracing
• Archery in the Heian period
• Historical misconceptions about sumo
• The caring and fun nature of sumo wrestlers
• And much more!

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Links, Videos, Etc.

To read the Japan Times article about Colton Runyan, use the link below.

• Sumo makes its way to Cambridge as former U.S. wrestler studies sport's ancient role

To read the Wasabi article about Konishiki written by Tony Vega, use the link below.

• Konishiki: Then & Now (February-March 2018 issue of Wasabi)

To listen to the latest episode of the Transmissions from Hawaii podcast, use the link below.

• Memoir of a Hilo Waterman: The Amazing Life of Hawaii Swimmer, Author & Educator Richard "Sonny" Tanabe | Transmissions from Hawaii 07

Don't forget to check out the latest episode of the Ichimon Japan podcast.

• Why do hands come out of the toilet in Japan? (About Japanese toilet hands, ghosts, yokai and urban legends) | Ichimon Japan 51

If you would like to support the show by picking up some merchandise, make sure to visit KimitoDesigns.com.

• KimitoDesigns.com

Special Thanks

Opening/Closing song: Oedo Controller (大江戸コントローラー) by Yunomi featuring Toriena (Used with permission from Yunomi) To listen to more of Yunomi's music, check out his Soundcloud page or YouTube channel.

Japan Station cover art: Provided by Erik R.

Featured image: Courtesy of Colton Runyan

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Full Show Notes

• Get the full version of show notes at https://www.japankyo.com/category/podcasts/japanstation/