December 7, 2000
Jew-mo!
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Woody Allen once said the shortest book ever written was the one on Jewish athletes. Well, here is the shortest chapter in that book: Since May 1987, Argentinean native Imach Marcello Solomon (a k a Hoshitango) has been wrestling his way up in the competitive sumo leagues in Japan.
Currently ranked eighth in the Juryo division, the 35-year-old, 368-pounder is the only Jewish sumo wrestler in the world. Wrestling out of the Michinoku-beya sumo house in Chiba, Japan, Hoshitago is among 26 other men in his division, vying for a spot in one of the upper four divisions. Hoshitango's overall record as of July 2000 is 357 wins, 314 losses.
Receiving a base salary of 773,000 Yen ($7,000) and a virtually uncountable amount of perks, bonuses and endless amounts of food, he remains, like most athletes, very well paid.
