Yokozuna Hoshoryu Loses Again at Kyushu Sumo Tournament
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Hoshoryu, a yokozuna in sumo wrestling, has lost his second match in a row at the Kyushu tournament.
A yokozuna holds the highest rank in sumo, so this is a notable result.
Before the tournament began, Hoshoryu was on kyujo, meaning he missed matches due to injury.
On day four of the tournament, he faced the wrestler Ura and lost the bout.
Ura holds a lower rank than Hoshoryu, so the loss counts as a kinboshi, or 'gold star' win for Ura.
This is the second day in a row that Hoshoryu has given away a kinboshi to a lower-ranked opponent.
The head of the Japan Sumo Association, known as the chairman, has commented on the situation.
He said that judging by how Hoshoryu fell during the match, the yokozuna does not appear to be in perfect condition.
There are growing concerns about the state of Hoshoryu's right knee.
Fans and sumo officials are now watching closely to see how he performs in the coming days of the tournament.
Vocabulary7 words
- yokozuna
- the highest rank in sumo wrestling
- tournament
- a series of sports matches held over several days
- kyujo
- an absence from matches due to injury
- Ura
- the name of a sumo wrestler
- bout
- a single match in sumo or boxing
- kinboshi
- a win by a lower-ranked wrestler against a yokozuna
- chairman
- the top official leading an organization
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Quiz
Answer key
1. He lost to lower-ranked wrestlers, giving away kinboshi 2. He missed matches due to injury (kyujo) 3. False
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Hoshoryu, a _____ in sumo wrestling, has lost his second match in a row.
A yokozuna holds the highest _____ in sumo.
Before the tournament began, Hoshoryu was on _____, meaning he missed matches due to injury.
On day four, he faced the wrestler _____ and lost the bout.
Ura holds a lower rank, so the loss counts as a _____ for Ura.
This is the second day in a row that Hoshoryu has given away a kinboshi to a _____ opponent.
The head of the Japan Sumo Association, known as the _____, has commented on the situation.
He said that judging by how Hoshoryu fell, the yokozuna does not appear to be in perfect _____.
There are growing concerns about the state of Hoshoryu's right _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think a yokozuna losing to a lower-ranked wrestler is considered a big event in sumo?
- How might an injury like a knee problem affect a wrestler's performance?
- Do you think wrestlers should compete again so soon after returning from injury? Why or why not?
- What qualities do you think make someone a good yokozuna?
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