Professional sumo makes its UAE debut this Saturday at the Space42 Arena in Abu Dhabi, as the city hosts the All-Star Sumo Competition. Organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) in partnership with USA Sumo, the event has already reached full capacity, underscoring significant local interest in the traditional Japanese sport. Reflecting strong interest in Saturday’s action, it has sold out ahead of its UAE debut. “Sumo is a sport in which mind and body are united, placing importance not only on winning and losing but also on courtesy.
The tournament features an elite roster of nine international wrestlers competing across 36 total bouts. During a recent preview event, organizers and athletes provided a glimpse into the rigorous combination of athleticism, speed, and tradition that defines the sport. Andrew Freund, founder of USA Sumo and director of the competition, emphasized that the tournament serves as a vital platform to introduce sumo to new global audiences while fostering its international expansion. Facing different types of wrestlers and giving it my all to aim for the championship,” Ichi said, i am really looking forward to competing again.
The competitors represent a diverse range of physical styles and professional backgrounds, with weights spanning from 140kg to 250kg. Among the headliners is Japan’s Ichi, the most accomplished wrestler in the field. Standing 193cm tall and weighing 230kg, the former sekiwake-ranked athlete spent a decade in Japan’s professional ranks and holds the prestigious Emperor’s Cup.
Joining him is the lineup’s heaviest competitor, Japan’s 250kg and 193cm wrestler Hiroki, a two-time divisional champion with 12 years of elite experience. Hiroki urged spectators to prepare for the intensity of the sport, noting that matches often conclude in a fraction of a second due to the explosive speed of the competitors. “You will be amazed by the sheer power of the wrestlers colliding with one another, but also by how surprisingly quick they can move,” Hiroki said. “Sumo matches are often decided in the blink of an eye, and I hope you will experience that speed and tension up close.”. He added: “Many people know the image of a sumo wrestler, but they have never experienced the speed, power, technique, discipline and tradition of sumo live, turning to what spectators can expect on Saturday.
Adding tactical diversity, Japan’s Fumiya brings a lower center of gravity to the ring. Despite being the shortest at 170cm, his 230kg frame and background in both judo and sumo allow him to utilize complex techniques like grappling and sidestepping. Fumiya highlighted that these contests are sophisticated tactical exchanges rather than simple displays of raw force. His lower centre of gravity plays to his advantage against taller opponents. Speaking ahead of the competition, Fumiya said: “A match is not merely a test of raw strength; it involves a tactical exchange of techniques such as pushing, pulling, sidestepping and grappling, based on reading the opponent’s movements.”.
The international contingent includes several decorated athletes: Mongolia’s Mendee, a World Sumo Champion, and his compatriot Tora, who holds the record for the most career matches among the group with 825. Also participating are Japan’s Waka with 763 matches, the agile Zorig at 140kg, and two-time World Sumo Championships silver medalist Jaagii.
Egypt’s Ramy El-Gazar stands as the sole representative of the Arab world. A professional chef and ten-time Egyptian national champion, the 193cm, 220kg wrestler views his participation as a significant milestone. Expressing pride in carrying the Egyptian flag, El-Gazar stated his hope that the competition will encourage a new generation of Arab athletes to take up the sport and potentially pave the way for future regional tournaments. “Representing Egypt and the Arab world is always a great honour for me.
Beyond the competition, fans will witness traditional rituals, including a formal ring-entering procession. These customs, combined with the professional standards maintained by the officiating team led by James Taku Leung, aim to preserve the historical integrity of sumo while showcasing its modern professional appeal in the heart of Abu Dhabi.
