It is the November Tournament at Fukuoka and it is day two. Already it is shaping up to who will be the losers. Some of the older hands are dropping down the ratings and are meeting the younger, keener fighters on the way up. It is a hard life, but watching the highlights today I am impressed that so few suffer injuries as they are thrown or drop off the dohyo. With their weight a two foot drop off the clay could prove disasterous. (thus speaks a man with his left leg in a boot waiting to attend a fracture clinic)

I am not sure how I became a fan, it just happened and I enjoy watching this ancient and heavily disciplined sport and cheer for the winners and commiserate with the losers. Today was a particularly good round of bouts which I watched whilst drinking Japanese Cherry Tea. It is good to escape the reality of a wet, windy and cold November day in Somerset. Thank you Japan.