Spotlight on the New Yokozuna: Seth Dorman!
Dorman's first experience with sumo was almost not to be. He had long been interested in the challenge, but was hesitant about joining. As the date to decide grew closer, Dorman became ill and spent one week in the hospital with tonsillitis. After a week in bed eating soft rice porridge with an ice pack on his head, he got out with only a day or two to spare before the first ever Everest of Apples sumo tournament in Akita. As luck would have it, they were a wrestler or two short, so Dorman volunteered to step in.
That first year the event was a bit rough around the edges. Some people did not remember to spit out the ceremonial sake, and instead swallowed it. Others created their own sumo uniform, which - while entertaining for the audience - made wrestling a bit difficult.
Dorman suffered a loss in the semi finals, so he and the other semi-finalist tied for third. The winner was Corey Campbell, an athletic and charismatic ALT whose ascent to victory was accelerated by a shredded jean skirt which seemed only remotely attached to his body.
Dorman left the first competition hooked. His passion to compete was inflamed, and his personal training for sumo began as winter turned into spring. Campbell decided to promote sumo using his flamboyant personality; taunting his opponents and daring anyone and everyone to wrestle him in the second tournament. He signed his e-mails with the byline, Yokozuna. Dorman was determined to unseat the showy Campbell.
The second match was a more organized and sober affair. This time everyone wore mawashi, and everyone was sober. All the contestants were fired up to take down Campbell, whose boasting grew as it came closer to the time to fight, and who was now being followed by a Japanese camera crew. He had made his own ceremonial apron and wouldn't stop talking about how he was going to win. Then, in the very first fight, Campbell went down and everyone cheered as the former Yokozuna fell.
Dorman saw his opportunity. He was well rested and had been training intensively. He was also the only wrestler using the sumo push, which often startled his opponents. In the finals, Dorman matched up against a lithe lefty who knew Aikido. His competitor had made it to the finals by spinning his opponents in the opposite direction and then flinging them out of the ring. Spectators likened the pairing to a tiger and bear, with Dorman as the bear. Dorman used a wide stance and his weight to slow the spinning and tire him out. The two men found themselves in the center of the ring gripping each others mawashi, trying to be the first to save enough energy for one last push. Dorman made his move; his opponent tried to spin but Dorman picked him up and tossed him out of the ring. His sense of glory, however, was short-lived, for when Dorman looked down he noticed his foot was over the rope. Dorman had stepped out of the ring mid-toss and thus lost the match.
He settled for second place and the title of Ozeki. Dorman's happiness at placing well was tinged with the bitter taste of regret. He had sipped at the cup of victory, and wanted more.
The next year Dorman worked to give himself every advantage. He streamlined his uniform to provide for maximum comfort and protection. He also worked on his persona. He made his own ceremonial apron as Campbell once had done. Yet unlike Campbell, Dorman strived to project an aura of quiet intensity and professionalism. He didn't walk around saying he was going to be the next Yokozuna; he just looked like he might be. He also made a plan. Dorman realized that every year the contestants grab the mawashi and try to lift or trip the other person out of the ring. Dorman was consistently the sole competitor pushing people beyond the rope. So Dorman perfected the iron palm: a powerful push supported by a wide stance. Dorman’s intimidating presence caused his opponents to pause for half a second, and in that moment he would start to shove. The competition had no defense against Dorman's iron palm.
Dorman pushed his way to Yokozuna and for two years his back never met dirt. Even as Ozeki, Dorman was the one left standing at the end of the second year fight. His refusal to back down, combined with his innovative strategizing, propelled Dorman's unlikely climb from illness to the top of the pack.
Dorman will not be around to defend his title this summer. He has left Japan, and is satisfied to retire as champion. Dorman thinks the Ozeki has a good shot at becoming the next Yokozuna, although "the red headed tattooed guy from the next ken over" could also pose a serious threat. And don't discount the newcomers, advises Dorman. His successor in Yuzawa may be untested, but he is determined to preserve the glory for his home town.
The 2007 Yokozuna Seth Dorman and several of his supporters.
17 March 2007
St. Patrick's Day Dance Party
Five of EofA's best DJs pumped out the best dance beats Akita has ever heard for the 3rd Annual, Everest of Apples St. Patrick's Day Dance Party. Green party-goers came from miles around to celebrate in true Irish style. Proceeds from the party totaled approximately JPN¥150,000!
December 2006
Volunteer English Camp: Beharampur Primary School-West Bengal, India
Twelve JETs from Akita EofA and Aomori EofA teamed with members of the National AJET Special Interest Group Go M.A.D., to hold a week long English Camp at Beharampur Primary School in West Bengal, India. Volunteers taught English during the day, held a Christmas event for the orphans, arranged a pen-pal exchange between Indian and Japanese students, and participated in after school activities and games such as soccer. Donations and proceeds from the camp were among many things able to build a new toilet and repair a tube-well for the school; build a principal's office, kitchen and new roof; and construct 10 beds for the orphans. After the school examinations were held in March 2007, the results showed a noticeable improvement in all the children's English, compared to previous examinations. The principal attributes this to the use of "Play Method" that volunteers utilized during the camp and introduced to the school. The method has since been adopted by the teachers to supplement rote memorization activities and is now highly talked about throughout the town.
4 November 2006
Halloween Costume Dance Party-Club Bloom
With proceeds totaling approximately JPN¥300,000 and written up in the Akita Sakigake News Paper for the second year in a row, this proved to be, yet again, Akita EofA's biggest fund raising event of the year. Over 150 costume-bedecked people partied and danced their brains out until the early morning hours to tunes by 5 of Japans best DJs! Congratulations to "Mr. Willy Wonka" (Bryan North 1st Year ALT, Akita City) the 2006 Halloween Costume Contest Champion. Special thanks to Mr. Naotoshi Shibata, the new owner of Club Bloom in Akita City, for waving the rental fee for the club at approximately JPN¥80,000! Video from the party can be seen on Club Bloom's official Website: http://www16.plala.or.jp/clubbloom/Halloween%20Dance%20Party.mpg
19 October 2006
EofA Scavenger Hunt Award Ceremony and Mid-year Conference Party
ALTs, Japanese English teachers and Board of Education staff joined in this party for food, folks, and fun after the annual JET Mid-year Conference. By applause, and general hootin' and hollerin', attendee's judged the pictures from the previous week's Photo Scavenger Hunt. Winning contestants won a variety of kitschy prizes from the 100-yen Store. Proceeds from the party raised over JPN¥40,000!
14 October 2006
EofA Photo Scavenger Hunt
The idea behind this event was to let JETs have a bit of fun without using a lot of time and money associated with travel. Six teams, representing cities, towns and villages from around Akita, took part in this exciting one-day race to take original pictures in an all out competition of city against city! The actual event was not a fundraiser but rather a chance for JETs around Akita to get to know their local areas and have some fun while doing it. Picture categories for this year included, among many things but more notably:
- 1. Best Interpretive Use of a Daikon
- 2. The Biggest Thing You Can Lift with Chopsticks
- 3. Oldest Local Fruit and Vegetable Stand Vendor
- 4. Biggest Beer
- 5. Most Outrageous Fashion Statement
- 6. And many, many more...
August 2006
Akita EofA/AJET "Newbie" Tatami Conference Party
Over 70 JETs and Education Center staff attended this party to get to know each other and relax after the two-day JET Orientation Conference. Thanks to plenty of good eats including pizza (even the not-so-popular mayo and corn), snacks, ice cream and beer; a combination of a great new JET crowd and air conditioning; this party was a huge success. Overall, the party was quite successful and the new Akita AJET Triumvirate donated a total of JPN¥52,000 in proceeds to EofA. Thank you, Akita AJET!
