Great sumo stories #2: Ura's comeback

A tribute to the sumo legend that is Ura, and the man behind that legend. A tale of talent combined with true grit, and incredible self belief - in short, all the things you need just to survive in professional sumo.
(Features the KZbin Audio Library track "Wonky West Coast" by DivKid).

[@martincolvill5453]

This was absolutely beautiful Chris. I was enthralled with how this story played out through your unique style. I've always loved Sumo but here in my 8th decade I am enjoying the sport with today's technology allowing creative people like you to weave a story I years ago might have missed all together. Thank you for your hard work. I look forward to more great stories.

[@aripea1980]

Wonderful, love the video, thank you once again for your dedication to your reports. Without them I, and many other English speaking Sumo fans wouldn't have such great stories and insights!

[@hakkeyoisumonewsandstats]

I still remember how devastated I was when he got injured and especially when he got re-injured. Am extremely proud of him, that he made it back to Sekitori divisions. All I have left to hope is that he won't re-injure and that he has not abandoned his cherry blossom mawashi 🤞

[@johnson6099]

I'm not a fan of pink but, when I saw Ura in it, I caved!

[@BuzzinsPetRock78]

@@johnson6099 For your entertainment: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gZ6caatugZxlnrc That was actually how I got to know Ura

[@joannaedwards6325]

See NHK TV SUMOPEDIA about MAWASHIS. URA receiving his pink cherry blossom belt. So adorable!!

[@urekah37]

Chris thanks so much for the video. As a U.S viewer that doesn't speak or understand Japanese, it can be difficult to stay up-to-date with my favorite wrestlers. It was devastating to watch URA get injured and almost completely vanish from my limited sources for sumo. So needless to say I was elated when you announced you where going to be making a video about his possible promotion back to salaried status. And you didn't not disappoint. Thanks for all your hard work.

[@johnson6099]

Battle Ura has been fighting indeed, only now he can celebrate a true victory at winning this 3 years long war. We, his fans, are continuously behind him and supporting him. Until the very end, Ura... HAKKEYOI!! ✌😭 Thank you so much Chris! No one either reports like you or stirs us up like you do and for that, I am grateful.

[@Hidden-Secrets]

Omg. A 20min URA piece right after the basho. You are truly amazing chris.

[@Chhipz]

I'm a simple man I see a Chris Sumo video notification I drop everything and go watch it

[@agamemnon8163]

Me: hitting my wife's poo-nani from behind (raw) My phone: **notification** "new chris sumo video. Me: **stops**, sorry wife chris-sensei is about to deliver his sermon. You will need to wait 19m23s Wife: 😡😭😿

[@Chhipz]

Agamemnon this man has his priorities straight

[@leifbennett1354]

I'm new, yet I learn fast, thanks. NHK and the grand sumo websites need to take some lessons here. I should be able to access all sumo matches on film with this level of analysis and insight. Then all the legends deserve a special. And pre and post tournament special's. And year in review. And match of the day, then tournament leading to match of the year awards.

[@gardenlover9663]

There were NOT just a few fans who "stuck" with him. We Ura fans are many. We are all around the world, and we will always be Ura fans!

[@Molders32]

As the credits rolled I was struck by the irresistible thought of Akiseyama being cast as the next James Bond.

[@MDM679]

Appreciated your ear for music too, man. Beethoven and Satie gave video that extra poignancy. Great stuff as always.

[@thebunnyfoofoo]

I like your taste in music!

[@sebastianturley8001]

First time seeing this. 3 years after its creation. I like this content. It seems longer than your current stuff. This was good. Also nice to hear Ura’s story. He is a humble and kind wrestler. Great to see him doing well in first division.

[@sherrilufflee]

Amazing work, you never see people who understand that sumo is a lot like motorsports. Conceptually its interesting, but the sport is first and foremost a massive tapestry of personalities, rivalries, and allegiances. Sumo wrestlers must maintain more decorum, but that only makes it all the better when we get a little head nod, smile, twist of the shoulders. Still loving your work.

[@mosheleal5356]

Thanks

[@Jonathan.D]

Ura has been one of my favorites! I can't express how happy I am to see him on the verge of being back in the top division! Every day of every match since his return I've eagerly awaited the results of his matches. We wait to welcome you back Ura!

[@wendygood1293]

I love Ura, and I love what you have done with your video. I could feel the suspense and anxiety and courage that the wrestlers bring to every moment of their careers. Thank you for your hard work, Chris!

[@RallycrossGT]

really hope that Ura can keep fighting. he's always been one of m favourites to watch. Enho hype only exists because Ura has been away from the spotlight for too long!!!

[@brendonlowndes22]

Great video Chris, really enjoyed it. Thanks!

[@venrerafaltis6636]

Any Sumo content is greatly appreciated. Thank you Chris Sumo.

[@ProvencaLeGaulois]

For a newcomer like myself in sumo, you cannot know how much your channel means to me. Such content is so welcome and needed, thanks you very much. I have lots of sumo history to catch up on to, would you be able to point me anywhere in particular on the internet? Thanks you very much again

[@bearcat1]

Always entertaining to be told a great story, especially when it told by someone who knows all the details. Thank you for taking the time to share these stories!

[@thexen3120]

Wonderfully brilliant Chris! Your contribution to sumo should have the JSA give you an ambassador title. Thank you!

[@stanislavkindiakov6334]

Wow Chis! It is the full fledged movie! My applause!

[@BigGuy_Trades]

Excellent work Chris, Ozumo!

[@jackthejobberfan5247]

Beautiful Storytelling

[@ashershaham]

I've been following Ura from his first days; he was incredibly wonderful rikishi even as a young boy. I wish him the best!

[@Widestone001]

The build-up and execution of that last bout was better than most movies I've seen in years! I was glued to the screen, just barely remembering to breathe! Fantastic job :-)

[@SpaceStormy]

CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THE PINK MAWASHI IN NOVEMBER!

[@yohohohohohohohohohohohoho5059]

What an incredible clip of Kunio you got in the beginning, goodness gracious that was the best thing I have ever heard. Also, love Ura

[@floydmadeconoreathiswords6016]

Best sumo channel period

[@Mycroft7771]

Thank You Chris for such a wonderful story.

[@RealPeterGunn]

Chris, put this video on your mantle place as one of your best!! What a wonderful portrait of our beloved Sumo!

[@tabriff3832]

Well, that was some video. I’m holding back the tears. It tells the story of the long, physical and emotional struggle that faces probably 9 out of 10 of all hopeful rikishi, when they enter their first stables as novices. A commitment that few of us can truly appreciate. I shall endeavour to apply myself and be a better Sumo scholar and improve my knowledge with each Basho.

[@rodactyl6807]

wow. the best piece of sumo story telling ive ever had the pleasure to witness. thanks chris!

[@BuzzinsPetRock78]

I've been a fan of Ura ever since I saw him first and was afraid we would never see him again after his injuries. I'm so glad he is coming back up again, even if his knees are still a problem. I just hope they hold up and he can have a good carreer in the top of the rankings again. I still remember the face of the lady in the souvenir shop at the Ryōgoku Kokugikan when I bought Ura stuff, as he had at that point left the makunouchi for some time. I got a big smile when she realised I bought them on purpose, not just random.

[@mikerupp2312]

Quickly becoming my go to Sumo channel great insight as always, salute from the frozen north of Wisconsin USA looking forward to the January tournament and all it will bring

[@lawrence142002]

I know this is an old video and Ura is back in the top division, but I still loved watching it. It's got a real sense of excitement to it. I would love to see more of these type of videos.

[@scorpio34ish]

Just recently got into sumo, Ura was and still is my favorite rikishi from the first time I saw him!

[@stevenicholas5651]

Im very happy he made his comeback! He's been a mainstay in macuuchi!

[@SandordrEsik]

Great video again. Shows the real depth of professional sumo. It puts into context those matches between maegishira 8 or 10 rikishi. All those who for the casual observer seem to be low tier ones. And then you see how much it takes to earn a silk belt, and what they have to go through to earn itt. Seeing former makuuchi wrestler on the brink of demotion from second division is cruel. But is also shows that despite all that Asia hide your feelings thing going on sumo is a sincere sport. You can go and watch these lower levels and witnes heaven and hell. Thanks Chris for showing it.

[@monksgs8094]

Injury is the biggest issue in sumo.

[@RealPeterGunn]

This was a wonderfully produced video in every sense of the project! Thank You!!!

[@douglas2437]

Beautiful work Chris

[@silafuyang8675]

Good luck to Ura! Hope he will stay injury-free and bring us joy with his wonderful sumo for a long time.

[@blueeyes6852]

You always outdo yourself. This video was one, if not your best, imo. I loved the script, the music, the magic you did in the video. Really great job CS! Don't know how you'll ever best this video. 🏆 My heart was beating out of my chest by the time Ura did his tachai!

[@jammy101]

Fantastic work as always. Keep them coming Chris. 👍

[@dcchen4319]

Thank you for the excellent video and effort.

[@johnenyart5587]

Excellent story. Just the kind of story the casual fan in the US does not usually see. Nice job.

[@ConanVictor]

Nicely done. Very beautiful story and text.

[@jonahgarza5881]

So dope! Thanks Chris ! Great Work ! Keep It up BUDDY ! ! ! ! ! !

[@nimrod6549]

One of your best videos, thank you..

[@godjira1]

wow this was seriously good, great script and writing.

[@wot_hog]

A masterpiece, Chris, thank you!

[@tomx6426]

Thank you for thid great video chris. I am glad to be able to cheer for ura.

[@LitoCortes]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Keep up the great content.

[@pw2051]

Love Ura! Thank you so much for making this!

[@snake_eyes_garage]

Bravo Chris. Thank you.

[@jaroslavklima4591]

many thanks from Czech rep. your vid are so great to me... letin me go deeper in sumo world...

[@Crmsnraider]

Clicking onto the video, seeing almost 20 minutes; grabbing some tea and about to tuck into this tribute. *rubshandstogether* look forward to this Chris.

[@davids.watson7342]

Wow! Chris what an intense video you made!!! You surely know how to keep the audience on their toes!

[@kelcyi5494]

URA. URA. URA. がんばって

[@GrainyByNature]

Outstanding writing, editing and documentation!

[@aa7x3]

Very good work on this video, I feel the excitement

[@SoberOKMoments]

We love Ura. We cheer you always from Portugal.

[@jxqjxq727]

Splendid work Chris -zeki as always

[@doctoreggman21]

Nice choices of music Chris, great watch :)

[@Matiastacua]

Awesome video! Excellent content!.

[@deanuemura8061]

Thank you for your reporting and story telling

[@joshuapatrick682]

I appreciate the insertion of gymnopedie 1 in there. Made me almost wistful sir!

[@leonelreo]

Poetry+humour+epics+great images+editing work=masterpiece

[@Assen87]

I am not a fan of Ura. But Chris makes anything interesting. Watched it in one breath. Thank you

[@potzysk2]

How is it possible to not be a fan of Ura? I thought everybody was :) Did you watch him before he was injured, in 2016 and 2017?

[@Assen87]

@@potzysk2 I watched some highlights to understand why hes so popular. I just dont like small guy sumo. Feels scummy to me. They could be wrestlers or judokas. Well i guess i am a minority.

[@BuzzinsPetRock78]

@@Assen87 I understand what you mean, I think, but Ura is known for his diversity of techniques. He's not just a small guy like ishiura or enho, he did some pretty spectacular things in the past. And even today he is different to most. But like most things in life, it's a taste thing....no harm in not liking a particular rikishi, that's half the fun of watching sumo :)

[@snake_eyes_garage]

I'm not a fan of the henka. And I think that the big guys often rely too much on the hitakikomi which often leads to them being pushed out. I'm also not a fan of the side leg kicks to frustrate injured knees. So I think if you look at it from this point of view (that there are techniques used no matter the size) you can see the art in the small guy sumo. I think that the sumo who defends well against the small guy are the best and for me that's the test to show how good they are.

[@Deckr0mancer]

Great video!! Thanx again!!

[@ABBY2015-s2u]

Thanks again Chris. I was on the edge of my seat for the final match. Stop in for lobster 🦞 and Canadian beer🍺 the next time your near Nova Scotia Canada!!!! 🇨🇦

[@gheorghitatimofte]

Surely this deserves some kind of award

[@potzysk2]

I think Chris was just having fun making it over-dramatic. Kind of a satire of epic films. If Ura hadn't been promoted, it wouldn't have been a disaster. 4-3 in November would have guaranteed it, so it wasn't really such a dramatic situation. But I'm happy to see anything about Ura. It's been a 3-year wait to be able to see him fight 15 bouts again.

[@joannaedwards6325]

Watching again 8/2/22 I agree. Chris not only is unabashedly over dramatic he seems to impose his own thoughts and biased emotions onto rikishes that are,perhaps, only in his imagination. imo...... 😝 kind of stomach turning. True reporting is factual not a soap opera. Thank Goodness he has quit calling his content 'reports'. They are now "pieces". A more apt title. I know I'm in a lonely minority but his pretentious flowery speech and biased, emotion filled 'pieces' ARE NOT MY CUP OF TEA. 😒

[@icegreenhemp]

I enjoyed this very much thank you.

[@outroutono4937]

this is the best yt channel ever!

[@bobschenkel7921]

Ura is always a fun watch, and he is the only rikichi with enough guts to wear a pink mawashi, but I have only been watching Sumo for five or six years, there may have been others. All good wishes to Ura in the future.

[@angelagunn7986]

Brilliant, sir. Extra points for the wee dose of Kunio.

[@oldcoldwarrior]

That was fun Chris, thanks!

[@torccchaser6712]

GO Ura GO ! Sending love and prayers

[@notsoaveragenerd]

(Commenting for the algorithm). Interesting story. I am new to sumo, I havent heard of Ura prior to this video.

[@Ckapolka]

And now just four tournaments later, a Juryo yusho and return to the top division for one of the most inspiring men in sumo. Congratulations, Ura!

[@ceicli]

Ura is one of my top favourites. I hope he succeed in the higher group again. His injuries keeps me worried though!

[@lucasgasse]

You are poet. Excellent

[@toddpaul9002]

Cool video , very interesting n learning about the ranking system

[@MarquePierreSondergaard]

Very beautifully told.

[@augustinep6193]

Good video. Thanks.

[@duke_hugo]

It’s sort of weird to consider Ura small. If he was in Makuuchi now he’d be larger than Enho, Ishiura, Tobizaru, Terutsuyoshi, Wakatakakage, Hoshoryu and Kotoeko. However at the time of his demotion none of them were in top division.

[@CaliWalli]

Daamn!!! Good video.

[@ProCoRat]

Ayyy is that Kunio performing at the start? He's the most incredible Yobidashi.

[@weesky5222]

hurrah ura !

[@pimmelfischli]

a bit overedited for my taste but I really appreciate these insights into the lower divisions.

[@somguy5035]

Enjoyed this

[@gregor299]

Don't worry about the ads. They don't stop me from getting my sumo education from you.

[@sry4gotmyusername]

I hope Ura comes back in his sakura mawashi but then again maybe he considers it bad luck.

[@SyamsulBahri-ce8gc]

More video ura moments please, about funny, cuties or anything please. I love ura

[@jeffstryker2419]

It's great to see him moving back to salaried level, but can he hang with the juryo guys if he can't do training matches? Probably not. Hopefully his knee is strong enough that he can start increasing training bouts slowly in the near future.

[@donotstalkme]

Ura is a natural. Those type of guys have an advantage when it comes to need for sparring. It helps no doubt about it, but the level he achieved on drills alone for the last 3 years is just amazing.

[@jeffstryker2419]

@@donotstalkme Of course he is talented, but that can only take a guy so far. When you are at the top level of a sport everyone is talented, so it starts becoming more about hard work. Also, having to go 15 matches is a lot different than 7; it's way harder to string together 8 wins by winging it than it is to get 4 by that method, especially when the competition is much stiffer. We'll see next basho where he is at, and I hope his knee is in good shape.

[@donotstalkme]

@@jeffstryker2419 I will be rooting for the guy. Let's go Ura

[@BadNewsRuss]

I Came from Hakuho Assashoryu Harumafuji wich was peak Sumo for me but staying for Ura cuz he is amazing hope he get to Ozeki at least

[@disneyvideocollector]

My hopes and prayers are that Ura eventually reaches Yokozuna

[@promisedmillennium]

This sport is sooo cool.

[@SyamsulBahri-ce8gc]

Ura good attitude and humble