World Sumo League Wrestling At St. Pete Times Forum In Tampa, FL On June 12, 2006 At 7:00 pm Tickets Now On Sale
Who: World Sumo League
2006 Mega Tour
When: Monday, June 12, 2006 - 7:00PM
Where: St. Pete Times Forum in
Tampa, FL
What: The World Sumo League 2006 Mega Tour will hit Tampa June 12, 2006,
with 24 world class heavy weight sumo competitors, featuring both the Wrath of Heaven Clan and Iron Mountain Warriors! For the first time on US soil, champion sumo wrestlers from multiple nations of the world will test their athletic skills against each other in the confines of the traditional dohyo. When the large sumo wrestlers sprinkle the salt, stomp their feet and exchange intimidating positions to begin the bout, one gets to watch one of the most entertaining sights in the world of sport!
The Wrath of Heaven wrestlers look to the awesome spirits of tidal waves, hurricanes and avalanches for power. They train themselves through exposure to the elements, drawing strength from the driving wind and cold while learning to ignore pain and fatigue. For a Wrath of Heaven Rikishi, true sumo wrestling can be summed up in the split second of the tachi-ai, the initial charge, when the Rikishi slam into each other with the power and terror of conflicting forces of nature. According to the Wrath of Heaven, a sumo wrestler should charge into his opponent with all the fury and determination of the wrath of heaven.
Iron Mountain warriors look to mighty Mt. Fuji for strength. They devote themselves to becoming as immovable and indestructible as the lonely mountain that guards over all Japan, and they pursue spiritual enlightenment with the same ferocity as they pursue victory in the ring. But the Iron Mountain School is deeply committed to honor and strict observance of the traditions of sumo. They are ascetic warriors;
adherents of Zen Buddhism who prefer to train in seclusion on remote mountainsides, to tap into the primordial energy that courses through
the living stone.
An ancient sport, Sumo dates back more than 1,500 years. According to Japanese lore, the very origin of the Japanese race sprang from the outcome of a Sumo match. Early sumo was far different from the sport practiced today. The matches were rough-and-tumble affairs that combined elements of boxing and wrestling with few or no holds barred. Under the patronage and support of the Imperial Court, however, rules were formulated and techniques created and developed, resulting in the form
of sumo practiced today.
Although Japan remains the world's leading proponent of sumo, in recent years the popularity of the sport has spread beyond its borders to countries all over the globe. Today sumo matches are conducted in more than 80 countries of the world creating a new group of world-class sumo wrestlers. Because of this surge in popularity, there is a dedicated group of international sumo devotees who are advocating for the
introduction of sumo as an Olympic sport, possibly as soon as the summer
games in 2012 or 2016.
The World Sumo League 2006 Mega Tour presented by Big Boy Productions, LLC, a New York-based sports and entertainment production company, represents a major step in that direction. The matches will be conducted under traditional Japanese sumo rules with internationally approved officials from around the world overseeing the event.
Tickets: Tickets go on sale this Friday, May 12th, 2006 at 5:00 pm at the Mcdonald's Box Office at the St. Pete Times Forum and all Ticketmaster
Outlets including Spec's Music and FYE. To order tickets by phone, call Ticketmaster at (813) 287-8844 or (727) 898-2100. Tickets are priced at
$101.75, $66.75, $46.75, $36.75, $26.75. Prices do not include service charges. For more information please call (813) 301-2500 or visit
stpetetimesforum.com.
For dinner reservations at Medallions Restaurant on the night
of the event please call (813) 301-6926.
