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Sumo League cancels shows
By JONNELLE MARTE
Published June 10, 2006
TAMPA - Organizers on Friday canceled the World Sumo League 2006 Mega Tour stop in Tampa, citing scheduling problems. The much-hyped show featuring 24 wrestlers had been set for 7 p.m. Monday at the St. Pete Times Forum. League officials also canceled Sunday night's show at the Bank Atlantic Center in Fort Lauderdale. "Logistically, a problem came up that they couldn't get down to Fort Lauderdale," said Rachel Schrift, marketing director for Fantasma Productions, which is promoting the tour. "Therefore, they're not going to do the Tampa show because of routing." Schrift said league officials did not specify the problem. The World Sumo League is trying to give the sport a new image in America by featuring wrestlers who are not as serious or as heavy as typical sumo warriors. Last month, during promotional events for the show, two wrestlers paraded through the parking lot of a Sweetbay Supermarket on Gandy Boulevard in Tampa sporting tiny loin cloths and demonstrated the sport for kids at the Central City YMCA in downtown Tampa. Sean Henry, chief operating officer for the St. Pete Times Forum, said he hopes to host the event in the future. He did not give a date. Anyone with tickets for Monday's show can return them to the point of purchase for a full refund. Jonnelle Marte can be reached at jmarte@sptimes.com or (813) 226-3404.
[Last modified June 10, 2006, 07:09:55]
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