Sumo Wrestling Stomping into Newark

Step into the Dohyo this February and catch what is being called the "Biggest Show on Earth".

The International Sumo League (ISL) is presenting the World Championship Sumo live at the Prudential Center. The event will see the coronation of the first-ever ISL World Sumo Champion.

Per their website, the ISL has the world's largest league of sumo wrestlers, with athletes around the globe under their banner. Their ultimate goal is "to produce authentic, unscripted sumo competitions". ISL says the sport is now poised to become even more popular, utilizing UHD 4k and video technology.

Having been in business for 14 years, they held multiple events, the largest being a crowd of 10,000 at Madison Square Garden.

Sumo is both the oldest and the national sport of Japan. The object of the match is to either shove, throw, or push your opponent out of the ring, or onto the floor. A match only ends when a body part other than the bottoms of a wrestler's feet touches the ground.

With roots that can be traced back to the earliest written mention in the year 712. Since the Japanese people did not keep any written records until the 8th century, it is impossible to say for sure when it started. According to legend, possession of Japanese islands was determined by a sumo wrestling match.  USADojo says two gods were wrestling along the shores of Izumo along the coast.

So much of that Shinto spiritualism remains in modern-day sumo. Before the start of a match, the wrestlers, or "rikishi" will throw salt in the ring as part of a purification ritual. This not only excites the crowd, but it harkens back to sal being used for that exact purpose at Shinto shrines.

After that, the rikishi squat down, clap their hands and stomp their feet. This was a means to ward off evil spirits from the dohyo.

Tickets for this event are on sale NOW. You can catch this show on Sunday, February 18th, starting at 7:00 pm.

If your interest is peaked, get your tickets HERE.

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Muhammed Ali would have celebrated his 82nd on January 17th.

Very few athletes can boast the title of undisputed GOAT in their sport. One boxer, however, left no room for debate over who is the best. Cassius Marcellus Clay Jr., aka Muhammad Ali, is not only the greatest boxer of all time but one of the best athletes in history and one of the most recognizable figures in American culture. Born in 1942 in Louisville, Kentucky Ali came from humble beginnings. Ali began his boxing career at just 12 years old on the advice of coach Joe E. Martin.
From there he found immediate success, with an amateur record of 100 wins and 5 losses Ali won Olympic gold in 1960 just before making his professional debut. Ali faced the toughest competition in his professional bouts. High-profile opponents include George Foreman, Joe Frazier, and Sonny Liston. With an impressive record of 56 wins and 5 losses, he went undefeated for the first decade of his career. Only two athletes hold wins over Ali that were not avenged in rematches, Larry Holmes and Trevor Berbick. Despite a few losses Ali was the first fighter to win the world heavyweight title three separate times, and defended his title 19 times.
Lesser known bouts include three entertaining exhibition bouts that Ali partook in. Two of which here against former NHL and NFL players. One of Ali's least known but most influential bouts was a 1976 exhibition match against Antonio Inoki. Inoki was a Japanese wrestler and martial artist. Although Ali was not happy with the match and it ultimately ended in an uninteresting draw, it foreshadowed the rise of mixed martial arts. While today major organizations such as the UFC feature mixed-style bouts, Ali was a boxing wrestler nearly 50 years ago!
In addition to his impressive boxing resume, Ali is also remembered as a cultural icon and activist. He was even awarded the Philadelphia Liberty Medal for his lifelong contributions to philanthropy and activism.
Check out five of Ali's greatest highlights below!