The Sumo World Championships were held in Rakvere, Estonia, which is the birthplace of pro sumo wrestler Baruto.  The tournament was held in the newly built Rakvere Sports Center, but the main attractions in Rakvere are the 12th century castle and the Tarvas statue (which was wrapped in a mawashi to welcome us sumo wrestlers). 

The castle and Tarvas at night.  Notice the castle is flying the Japanese flag in honor of the tournament.

We also got to see another world capital city, Tallinn, Estonia.  Our Estonian guides took us to the Old Town area which tries to preserve Tallinn as it was before the Russian takeover.  It was beautiful, with unique architecture and narrow cobblestone streets.

This Russian church was rediculously ornate, inside and out.      

  The best meal we ate in Estonia was in this German style Beer House.

Troy, Trent and I flew into Helsinki, Finland before the Sumo World Championships.  We walked around on their brick and cobblestone streets for two days.  By the second day, Trent’s calves were as big as mine.  It could have been all the fish-bread he was eating.

  Trent points to the only black man in Helsinki.

More brick and cobblestone.                     

Some statues.                        

  Helsinki or Gotham City?