News Discussion

Hello Kitty Sends Off Yokozuna Ahead of London Sumo Tournament

Ahead of the Grand Sumo Tournament in London, scheduled for October 15–19, yokozuna Hoshoryu attended a send-off ceremony with Hello Kitty at Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena on September 2.

Hello Kitty, Sanrio's popular character and the tournament's official ambassador, offered her support. Hoshoryu responded with determination: "I'll do my best to win.“

This will be the first Grand Sumo Tournament in London in 34 years, and Hoshoryu's first appearance overseas. Smiling at Hello Kitty, who appeared in a kimono, he said she looked "very kawaii [cute]." He added, "I want to share the greatness of sumo with local children and audiences.“

One of the reasons Hello Kitty was chosen as ambassador was because she was "born in the suburbs of London," according to her profile. During the tour, she will take part in a children's sumo event with about 2,000 participants and visit pediatric hospitals.

As in the 1991 London tournament, the matches will be held at the Royal Albert Hall, where top-division (makuuchi) wrestlers will face off in the ring.

1. 1. send-off　見送り、出発式
   We were given a big send-off when we decided to move to Japan.
2. 2. ambassador　大使、代表、親善大使
   Caroline Kennedy was the US ambassador to Japan for four years.
3. 3. determination　決意、やる気
   I am sure my sister will graduate from college because she has a lot of determination.
4. 4. pediatric　小児科の、子ども向け医療の
   My grandmother worked as a nurse in a pediatric hospital.
5. 5. face off　対戦する、向かい合う
   The Hanshin Tigers and the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks will face off in the baseball finals.

1. 1. What happened at Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo arena on September 2?
2. 2. Why was Hello Kitty with him?
3. 3. What is Hello Kitty going to do in London?
4. 4. What cartoon characters did you grow up with? Do you have any favorite characters? Who, and why are they your favorites?
5. 5. What characters do you think would make good ambassadors to other countries? Why?

大相撲のロンドン公演が10月15～19日に開かれるのを前に、横綱豊昇龍が9月2日、両国国技館で行われた「ハローキティ大相撲ロンドン公演出発式」に出席した。公演アンバサダーを務めるサンリオの人気キャラクター、ハローキティがエールを送ると、「優勝を目指して頑張ります」と意気込んだ。

大相撲のロンドン公演は34年ぶり。初の海外公演となる豊昇龍は、着物姿で登場したハローキティに「かわいいですね」とにっこり。「現地の子供たちや来場客に大相撲のすばらしさを伝えたい」と述べた。

ハローキティは「ロンドン郊外生まれ」というプロフィルが縁となってアンバサダーに就任。現地では約2千人の子供たちが参加する「ちびっこ大相撲」のほか、小児病院などを訪問予定という。

ロンドン公演は平成3年に開かれた前回と同じロイヤル・アルバート・ホールで幕内力士の取組が行われる。