The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will host its first international professional sumo tournament this weekend. Elite wrestlers from Japan, Mongolia, and Egypt will participate in the competition, which consists of 36 bouts.
The event, named the All-Star Sumo Competition, will take place at the Space42 arena on Saturday, September 26. This event marks the debut of international professional sumo in the UAE. Nine wrestlers, weighing between 140 kg and 250 kg, will take part in the one-day event, many of whom have hundreds of professional matches under their belt. The event is organized by the Department of Culture and Tourism of Abu Dhabi and is already sold out ahead of its debut in the UAE.
Andrew Freund, Director of All-Star Sumo and founder of USA Sumo, noted that hosting the All-Star Sumo in Abu Dhabi is a wonderful opportunity to introduce a new audience to the sport and promote its international development. He added that sumo combines an incredible mix of tradition, athleticism, and spectacle, and he hopes this event will help establish strong ties with fans in the UAE and the region.
Japanese wrestler Ichi is the most decorated participant. This 193 cm tall and 230 kg wrestler has spent ten years in the professional ranks of Japan, achieving the rank of Sekiwake, which places him in the top one percent, and has won the Emperor's Cup, the highest honor in Japanese professional sumo. Ichi stated that sumo is a sport where mind and body are united, and he eagerly awaits the opportunity to compete again against different types of wrestlers and strive for the championship.
Japanese Hiroki, standing at 193 cm and weighing 250 kg, is the heaviest participant. A two-time division champion, he has spent 12 years competing in the elite division of professional sumo in Japan. Hiroki shared his thoughts that spectators will be amazed by the raw power of the wrestlers upon impact, as well as their surprising speed. He noted that sumo bouts are often decided in an instant and hopes that spectators can feel this speed and tension up close.
Japanese Fumiya, who stands at 170 cm and weighs 230 kg, is also among the participants. Despite being the shortest wrestler, his low center of gravity may give him an advantage against taller opponents. Fumiya, speaking before the competition, emphasized that a bout is not just a test of brute strength, but a tactical exchange of techniques such as shoves, lifts, dodges, and grappling based on analyzing the opponent's movements.
The roster also includes Mongolian Mendee, a world sumo champion and US Sumo Open champion, and his compatriot Tora, who has 825 career matches, the highest number among all participants. Japanese Waka has completed 763 career matches, while Mongolian Zorig, weighing 140 kg, is the lightest on the list. Completing the lineup is Jagi, a two-time silver medalist at the World Sumo Championship.
Meanwhile, Egyptian Rami El-Gazar is the only Arab wrestler participating. This 193 cm tall and 220 kg athlete is a ten-time national sumo champion of Egypt and a winner of the US Sumo Open. When not in the ring, he works as a professional chef. El-Gazar stated that representing Egypt and the Arab world is always a great honor, as he feels he carries not only his name but also the Egyptian flag, representing millions of people across the Arab world.
Speaking about what spectators can expect on Saturday, El-Gazar added that many are familiar with the image of a sumo wrestler but have never experienced the speed, power, technique, discipline, and tradition of sumo live. He believes that after watching the sport from just a few meters away, the understanding of this sport completely changes. El-Gazar expresses optimism about the future of sumo in the region, hoping that this event will open doors for more sumo competitions in the Middle East and, most importantly, inspire a new generation of Arab athletes to try the sport.
Spectators will also be able to witness elements of centuries-old sumo traditions, including the official procession into the ring and traditional pre-match rituals. The event is held in collaboration with USA Sumo to maintain professional standards while preserving the sport's traditions.