SUMO SPIRIT.
WEST COAST SOUL.
HELPING BUILD THE
FUTURE OF SUMO IN SOCAL
At West Coast Sumo Club, we're a group of athletes who love the sport of sumo and are dedicated to advancing our skills, dominating the dohyo, and enjoying the sun while doing it.
we're working to honor sumo traditions while embracing the West Coast vibes.
SUMO 101: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Sumo is a competitive full-contact wrestling sport where a wrestler (rikishi) attempts to force another wrestler out of a circular ring (dohyo) or into touching the ground with any body part other than the soles of their feet. Originating in Japan, it is a sport steeped in tradition and ceremony, with professional and amateur practitioners worldwide.
Sumo is for everyone! There are no specific weight or fitness requirements to join our club. We encourage participants of all shapes, sizes, and fitness levels to learn and compete. Many amateur sumo tournaments often provide dedicated weight divisions to allow for wrestlers of similar sizes to have competitive matches.
Definitely women can join! We believe in providing a supportive and respectful environment for everyone interested in learning and practicing sumo wrestling. Our sessions for women are designed to be empowering, focusing on technique, strength, and the cultural aspects of the sport. Whether you're looking to compete or just train for fitness and fun, we welcome you to join.
You will sweat and you will definitely bruise. Sumo wrestling is a full contact sport and can be hard on the body. Make sure you let the club aware of any injuries or limitations.
Bring water, a towel, a willingness to learn and compete. Arrive on time. Loaner mawashis (sumo belt) will be distributed on a first come first serve basis. Trim your nails, tie long hair back, and no jewelry or loose clothing.
You will be up close and personal with others wrestlers, please practice good hygiene.
Each session begins with a warm-up, followed by fundamental sumo exercises to improve flexibility and strength. We then move on to skill work, which includes learning various techniques and forms. Practice usually ends with randori, where wrestlers apply their skills in practice bouts.
The primary attire for sumo practice is a mawashi, which is a traditional sumo belt. We provide beginners with a mawashi for their initial sessions. As you advance, you may want to purchase your own. It is recommended that you wear comfortable workout attire (shorts, compression spandex, leggings, etc.) under the mawashi. We encourage anyone who wants to practices "traditionally" (show your butt) to do so, however, it is NOT REQUIRED for practices.