Sumo + Sushi: A Sensational Combination for an Evening of Entertainment
Good news! You no longer have to fly to Japan to experience the extravagance and thrill of Sumo wrestling. With the arrival of Sumo + Sushi, a live show that catapults this ancient sport right into the centre of New York City, Sumo fans now have the pleasure of watching five world champion Sumo wrestlers do their thing all while comfortably sipping on sake and snacking on sushi.
Sumo + Sushi, an intense experience of food and fighting
On Sunday, November 17, I had the pleasure of attending one of the fun filled shows sat The Playstation Theatre in Times Square. Hosted by legendary Sumo wrestler Konishiki, the first non-Japanese-born wrestler to reach ōzeki, the second highest rank in Sumo, the event was filled with information as well as entertainment, with Konishiki guiding the guests through the history and culture of Sumo, before explaining the do’s and dont’s of Sumo wrestling -- if a Sumo loses his silk belt and is exposed, for example, he automatically loses the match!
The evening progressed with the remaining four world champion Sumo wrestlers battling it out over the course of six live matches. Tououyama, a professional for nine years and weighing in at a whopping 400 lbs fought valiantly against Musashikuni, a 6’3” Hawaiian native. While fighters caught their breath, Q+A sessions with the wrestlers took place between matches, allowing the audience a further glimpse into the complex, competitive world of Sumo.
Sumo + Sushi at The Playstation Theatre
While watching the Sumo spectacle, guests were also treated to an interactive dining experience including miso soup and wasabi peas as well as a carefully curated bento box filled with sushi, vegetable tempura and chicken katsu. Multi talented wrestler Kumago, who owns a karaoke bar in the city, ended the evening with a haunting rendition of Backstreet Boys, I Want It That Way, to the wild enthusiasm and applause of the audience. Sake and beer were also widely available and indulged.
The pinnacle of the evening however, was the very end, with Sumo + Sushi’s unique trend of allowing audience participation. Eager, (and possibly insane) audience members clambered up into the ring to fight their chosen wrestler. Some did better than others but all had a fantastic if frightening experience. Sumo + Sushi brings so much together into one evening of outrageous entertainment!
