Doreen Simmons facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Doreen Simmons
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| Born |
Doreen Sylvia Clarke
29 May 1932 Nottingham, England
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| Died | 23 April 2018 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | English |
| Alma mater | Girton College, Cambridge Hughes Hall, Cambridge |
| Occupation | Writer, lecturer, commentator |
| Known for | Sumo commentary |
Doreen Sylvia Simmons (born May 29, 1932 – died April 23, 2018) was an English expert on sumo wrestling. She moved to Japan in 1973. There, she became very knowledgeable about sumo.
In 1992, she was hired by NHK, a Japanese TV channel. She provided commentary for their English language sumo broadcasts. In 2017, she received a special award from Japan, the Order of the Rising Sun.
Early Life
Doreen Simmons was born in Nottingham, England. Her father was a civil servant, and her mother managed a store. She attended Mundella Grammar School and sang in its choir.
As a teenager, she loved cricket. She would visit the Trent Bridge cricket ground every Saturday. From 1950 to 1954, she studied theology and classics. She attended Girton College, Cambridge and Hughes Hall, Cambridge.
Career Highlights
After finishing college, Doreen became a teacher. She taught Latin and Greek. In the 1960s, she taught at a British Army school in Singapore.
In 1968, she visited rural Japan for three months. She stayed on a farm and saw her first sumo match on TV. After returning to England, she taught classics again. She also appeared on the TV show Mastermind.
Five years later, in September 1973, she decided to move back to Japan. She found a teaching job there. She worked at the International Language Centre in Jinbōchō, Tokyo. Later, she joined the Foreign Press Center Japan. There, she edited English translations of news from the Foreign Ministry. She also checked English materials for the Japanese government. This included work for the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors in the National Diet. She also worked for the National Diet Library.
Other Interests
Doreen Simmons had many hobbies. She sang in the British Embassy Choir in Tokyo. She also performed with the Tokyo International Players. She was a musician, playing the bodhrán and the djembe drums.
In 1980, she joined the Asiatic Society of Japan. She later served on its council for several years. At age 68, she went bungee jumping in Australia. On her 71st birthday, she volunteered for Habitat for Humanity. She helped dig foundations for homes in Mongolia.
Later Life
Doreen Simmons passed away at her home in Tokyo. She died on April 23, 2018, at 85 years old. She had a pulmonary condition.
