Think you have what it takes to beat a National Champ? Sign up now for a chance to throw down with Josh Wade, New York Sumo's very own US Middleweight National Champion, and take home his $250 bounty!

At the end of each division, the division winner will have one chance to take on Josh. If Josh wins, the bounty goes into his travel fund, helping him get to this year's Sumo World Championships in Azerbaijan!* If the challenger wins, they take home the $250 bounty, and receive the title of honorary National Champ!

Every entry helps us get a Tri-state native to the World Championships for the first time ever!

*Josh will also receive a guaranteed portion of tournament revenue independent of his win rate. Don't worry, we'll be making sure he gets to Worlds no matter what!

Attire

MAWASHI (Sumo Belts) WILL BE AVAILABLE TO BORROW IF YOU DO NOT HAVE YOUR OWN

You must provide your ID to check out a mawashi. If you are borrowing a mawashi, you must wear compression shorts underneath. Our tournament sponsor, 1/2 Sumo Collective, will provide you compression shorts if you wear them throughout competition.

Men and male juniors have 2 options ONLY for acceptable attire:
Option A: Mawashi only. This is the preferred option, the essence of sumo.  
Option B: Mawashi with compression shorts underneath.

Women and female juniors also have 2 options for acceptable attire
Option A: Mawashi with unitard underneath. Preferred option
Option B: Mawashi with compression shorts and compression shirt underneath. 

ONLY mid-thigh length or above-the-knee compression shorts will be allowed to wear underneath mawashi. Compression shorts MUST be a contrasting color to fighter's mawashi. If you are wearing a black or very dark blue mawashi your compression shorts MUST be light colored. 

NO other articles may be worn outside of options A and B. No underwear, thongs, leggings, athletic shorts, boxer shorts, earrings, jewelry, glasses, gauges, etc. For men, No shirts/tops of any kind. Knee/elbow braces/wraps and athletic tape allowed.

Men's Divisions

Featherweight - Under 170 lbs (<77kg)
Lightweight - 170 lb and over and under 187 lb (77kg to 85kg)
Middleweight - 187 lb and over and under 220 lb (85kg to 100kg)
Light-Heavyweight - 220 lb and over and under 254 lb (100kg to 115kg)
Heavyweight - Above 254 lb (>115kg)

OPEN - All Humans

ALL WEIGHTS, AGES AND GENDERS

Weigh-ins

Starting September 7, until the evening of September 12, please send a single, uncut video of yourself stepping onto a scale, starting with the reading clearly visible at 0, and then showing the weight reading. End with a clear, recognizable shot of your face.

Judging

Our Guarantee - No Missed Calls Tate-gyōji no Tantō - The Head Referee's Dagger

We GUARANTEE 100% correct rulings, or your money back. If any video footage is found at any point after a match has been irreversibly decided, and that footage shows an angle that proves the ruling incorrect, the wrongly declared loser will be issued a full refund of their entry fee in that division, and an official apology. We will be running both a live-stream of the event and at least two feeds of instant replay. Instant replay footage will be consulted during mono-ii to ensure the most accurate call possible. Last year, in an effort to promote a culture of integrity in American Sumo, we instituted a controversial policy: 100% correct judging decisions or your money back. In hindsight, we can say that decision was a resounding success. Overall, we made only 1 incorrect call that led to a wrongful elimination. 

After the tournament was over, that competitor approached us with audience footage clearly showing, from a new angle that was completely missed by our video review system, evidence that their loss was incorrectly called. After reviewing and confirming the validity of the footage, we immediately issued that competitor a full refund and an official apology. We here at the New York Sumo Club believe our referees and judges are some of the best at what they do, and we believe that starts with acknowledging our mistakes and taking full accountability for our missed calls.

IMPORTANT NOTICE: To compete, participants must be an active member of the USSF [USSF Membership can be found HERE]. Registering as a member of USSF ensures will be covered under supplemental liability insurance during competition. If you choose not to register you will be asked to pay $25 in addition to your registration fee as NYSC will be held responsible for your membership dues following the tournament.

Pre-Tournament Open Mat - TBD

All athletes are welcome to join New York Sumo Club for a free pre-tournament open mat, Come learn sumo from our national medalists and coaches!

Hinds Combat - Midtown West
360 West 36th Street
(Between 8th & 9th Ave)
New York City, NY 10018

Tournament Schedule

12 - 6 TBD

Ring Entering

Athletes for the next division should be ready to compete by the start of the medal matches for the previous division. This will be announced at the beginning of the medal matches for each division. If you do not know how to tie your mawashi, find anyone wearing a colorful mawashi for help. Athletes will be introduced and face the crowd at the edge of the ring before each division. This is when safety inspections will be performed. Wrestlers must participate in the ring entering to compete in their division.

Athlete Check-In

Athletes must check in at the Athlete Check-In Desk by 11am on the day of the tournament. You may also weigh in during check in. 

Accommodation

Athlete Conduct

In view of the fact that sumo is a type of martial art, sumo athletes must respect each other and, while doing their utmost, refrain from using techniques that would intentionally injure or harm their opponents. In addition, they must not use language or conduct in or around the dohyo that is contrary to the spirit of sumo as a martial art. Competitors will be warned once for use of offensive language or outbursts. 

Furthermore, there is a zero-tolerance policy towards any kind of verbal or physical abuse towards competitors, volunteers, or spectators. The New York Sumo Association will not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of any protected class: race, creed, color, religion, sex, including sexual orientation or gender identify or expression, pregnancy, national origin, marital status, disability, age, familial status, or weight.

In the spirit of safe competition, competitors are expected to be drug and alcohol free while competing. 

Failure to adhere to these guidelines will result in disqualification from competition and/or removal from the event. Contact the tournament organizer, Oscar Dolan, (917) 601-2190 or the New York Sumo Club Desk, if you have concerns on the day of the tournament. 

By registering for this this tournament the athlete acknowledges that they understand and agree to the above athlete conduct statement.

Hosted by: New York Sumo Club (@nysumoclub)
Under the oversight of: United States Sumo Federation
USSF Sanction #TBD

Limited free lodging with NYSC members available.
DM @nysumoclub on instagram or New York Sumo Club on facebook with any questions.