Abu Dhabi is set to host the UAE’s inaugural international professional sumo event this Saturday, as the Space42 Arena welcomes a roster of elite competitors from Japan, Mongolia, and Egypt. Hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), the tournament features nine world-class wrestlers scheduled to face off in a series of 36 high-stakes bouts. The event has reached full capacity, signaling significant local interest in the traditional Japanese discipline. Reflecting strong interest in Saturday’s action, it has sold out ahead of its UAE debut.
The competition, organized in collaboration with USA Sumo, aims to blend athleticism with centuries-old tradition. Andrew Freund, founder of USA Sumo and director of the event, expressed optimism about the sport’s expansion into the Middle East. He noted that the tournament offers a unique opportunity to introduce a wider audience to the athleticism, spectacle, and historical significance inherent in professional sumo.
Physically, the lineup is as diverse as it is formidable, with body weights ranging from 140kg to 250kg. Among the standout participants is Japan’s Ichi, a former sekiwake who ranks among the top one percent of all-time competitors. Standing 193cm and weighing 230kg, Ichi boasts a decade of professional experience and a victory in the prestigious Emperor’s Cup. He emphasized that the sport is deeply rooted in the unity of mind and body, where courtesy is held in as high regard as victory. “Sumo is a sport in which mind and body are united, placing importance not only on winning and losing but also on courtesy. 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.
Joining him is Hiroki, the heaviest competitor at 250kg, who spent 12 years in the elite division of Japanese sumo. He described the intensity of the sport, noting that spectators are often surprised by the explosive speed and power displayed during a match that can conclude in mere seconds. Meanwhile, Fumiya, the shortest and widest competitor at 170cm and 230kg, brings a tactical approach to the ring, utilizing a low center of gravity to execute complex grappling techniques. 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 roster is bolstered by Mongolian powerhouses, including World Sumo Champion Mendee and the highly experienced Tora, who enters the arena with a record of 825 professional matches. Waka, another veteran with 763 bouts, and two-time World Sumo Championships silver medallist Jaagii round out the lineup, along with the lightweight Zorig at 140kg.
Representing the Arab world is Ramy El-Gazar, a ten-time Egyptian national champion and US Sumo Open winner. Standing 193cm and weighing 220kg, El-Gazar balances his professional wrestling career with a profession as a chef. He expressed deep pride in carrying the Egyptian flag and representing millions of fans across the Middle East. El-Gazar anticipates that this tournament will serve as a catalyst for growth in the region, potentially inspiring a new generation of Arab athletes to take up the sport. Every time I step into the sumo ring, I feel that I am carrying more than my own name.
Beyond the raw physical contests, the event will feature traditional ring-entering processions and pre-bout rituals, offering spectators an authentic experience of sumo’s heritage. The organizers have underscored that while the event is a modern exhibition of professional skill, it remains strictly faithful to the customs that have defined the sport for generations.
As the wrestlers prepare for the final matches, the consensus among participants is clear: the experience of viewing the speed, power, and discipline of professional sumo from just a few meters away will fundamentally transform the audience’s perception of the sport. “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.
