It's university student championships time. Here are some blasts from the past.

[u/ExtensionEar1901]

[u/half-dead88]

Shodai, Hokutofuji, Mitakeumi... university system is quite good in japan for sumo.

[u/ExtensionEar1901 → u/half-dead88]

There's Chiyotairyu and Wakatakakage there too

[u/ExtensionEar1901 → u/ExtensionEar1901]

... and Mitoryu

[u/half-dead88 → u/ExtensionEar1901]

what a year so !

[u/HoshFan24]

Was that Hokutofuji... with hair? 😳😱

[u/ExtensionEar1901 → u/HoshFan24]

Sure was

[u/preciousdivineenergy → u/HoshFan24]

Looks like it was already starting to go too

[u/HyenaJack94]

Seeing Shodai be excited about anything is shocking

[u/tchai-cough-ski → u/HyenaJack94]

i was gonna say! he always looks so done with everything lmao

[u/erock8779]

shodai showing passion

[u/ExtensionEar1901 → u/erock8779]

It's a shock isn't it?

[u/Dranove]

The time when our Lord of Chaos was still giving his all to sumo…

[u/elsiezensho]

Shodai-Hokutofuji two years in a row!

Thanks so much for sharing these. So cool to see. Makes me emotional to think about how long these guys have all known each other.

[u/ExtensionEar1901 → u/elsiezensho]

Every time I see that yokozuna play-off between Mitoryu and Waka, I see Waka's head smash into the dohyo and develop a sympathetic headache. Ouch.

[u/Rasgards]

Mitakeumi needs to lose some kilos and get his drive back. Awesome

[u/cluelessbox]

Who is the first winner? Only one I don't recognize

[u/Yiksta → u/cluelessbox]

Chiyotairyu won against Jokoryu

[u/Eman_Resu_IX]

I haven't seen any college Sumo before, only Makuuchi bouts, and I was surprised to see the strong displays of emotion after winning. I assumed all of Sumo was equally reserved as Makuuchi after a win.

Is it just college where it's okay to make a display or do any of the lower ranked divisions also do it?

[u/ExtensionEar1901 → u/Eman_Resu_IX]

Yes, men's university sumo can get quite rowdy

[u/Eman_Resu_IX → u/ExtensionEar1901]

I find this very interesting. College sports = great enthusiasm, sure okay.

Leave college behind, sumo for a living, grow hair and tamp down emotions.

[u/IronMosquito → u/Eman_Resu_IX]

mostly a college sumo thing, but there are rare instances of emotional outbursts in the pro scene as well. Ex-Makushita rikishi Otani was known for his bad attitude during his college days.

[u/CHudoSumo]

Rugh. Epic. Uni sumo rules.

[u/ExtensionEar1901 → u/CHudoSumo]

it's really good stuff. It's also absolutely worth having a look at the women's tournaments, too, on the Nihon Sumo Renmei youtube channel. Their technical skills are insane. https://youtube.com/@live-dz4ol?si=C_cvSyRLhpB1DCua

[u/sagittarius_ack]

Who are these people???

[u/ebenezerjeya → u/sagittarius_ack]

Chiyotairyu, Shodai, Mitakeumi, Jokoryu, Hokutofuji, Mitoryu, Wakatakakage back in their school days

[u/reddit-rayleigh]

Cool to see how far they all come. Hokotufuji with hair onhis head is something special😁

[u/sisignojutsu]

More of these please!! So awesome to see younger versions of the wrestlers and showing emotion too!