Doreen Simmons, British-born sumo wrestling commentator, dies at 85
May 13, 2018 11:34 PM   Subscribe

Ms Simmons began her tenure as the English-language commentator on NHK in 1992. She also got her first tattoo at age 71. She led an incredible life.
posted by nerdfish (13 comments total) 15 users marked this as a favorite
 
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posted by Uncle at 12:07 AM on May 14, 2018


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Thanks for this. There was a touching (but very brief) tribute to her on the NHK World preview show for the May basho, and this obituary fills it out nicely.
posted by robcorr at 12:55 AM on May 14, 2018 [3 favorites]


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posted by Kattullus at 12:57 AM on May 14, 2018


As a person making my life overseas this woman's achievements inspire me so much. Making your home wherever you are requires real and constant attention and care and I'm doing my best; her story shows me that it can, with time, actually happen.

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posted by mdonley at 1:19 AM on May 14, 2018 [8 favorites]


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posted by tychotesla at 4:35 AM on May 14, 2018


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posted by lazaruslong at 6:11 AM on May 14, 2018


I credit everything I know about sumo to this woman. Many fond moments in my little rural home in Japan eating mochi or Osembei and cheering for Asashoryu to an illuminating British commentary. #natsukashii

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posted by ikahime at 8:11 AM on May 14, 2018 [3 favorites]


Oh, I didn't know she passed away. I always enjoyed her commentary whenever I had a chance to watch sumo. Like having sumo explained to me by a very kind, caring, slightly eccentric British aunt.
posted by Ghidorah at 8:56 AM on May 14, 2018 [4 favorites]


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posted by koucha at 9:57 AM on May 14, 2018


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posted by limeonaire at 11:09 AM on May 14, 2018


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posted by infini at 12:04 PM on May 14, 2018


She shares my father's birthday and I was hurriedly counting the years between her year of birth in the 30s and his in the 30s.
posted by infini at 12:05 PM on May 14, 2018 [1 favorite]


Holy shit I just realized upon reading her (super interesting) obituary that I met this woman and chatted with her briefly in an Irish pub in Ueno randomly a few years back. She was holding a drum, and I guess playing intermittently with the band. I remember her being pretty friendly and easygoing, with a bright smile.

RIP Ms. Simmons! Thanks for a nice memory.
posted by dubitable at 3:25 AM on May 15, 2018 [1 favorite]


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