About SumoDan
Dan Kalbfleisch is the 3-time, and current, US Sumo Champion, holding both the heavyweight and openweight titles. He has competed across the country, and even represented the United States overseas at the Sumo World Championships. Dan has appeared in film (Ocean's Thirteen), on television (Good Morning America, National Geographic Explorer), and at nationwide exhibitions (Arnold Schwarzenegger Sports Festival, Los Angeles Fix Expo). Dan is a member of the California Sumo Association and the United States Sumo Federation, and enjoys demonstrating, teaching, and representing sumo in America.
Dan was introduced to sumo in 2005 when he saw the documentary Sumo East and West. He had a background in wrestling, bodybuilding, and weightlifting, and was determined to give the ancient sport of sumo a try. Dan found the California Sumo Association and began training for competition. He entered seven tournaments that year, but was only able to win one major title: 2005 California Middleweight Champion.
Dan improved his sumo training in 2006 by learning new techniques from different US Champions. He competed in most of the tournaments in the US, winning medals in Idaho, Arizona, Georgia, Wyoming, and of course California. In 2007, he had the chance to train with the World Champion. At the US Sumo Open, the biggest International tournament in the country, Dan's silver was the only medal won by an American that year. At the 2007 US National Tournament, Dan defeated of all his opponents in the openweight division, winning his first national title.
Dan continues his American dominance in 2008. At this year's US Nationals, he not only retained his openweight title, but won the heavyweight title as well. Dan's goal now is to win a medal for the United States at the Sumo World Championships.
SumoDan's Titles
| 2005 Shunbun Middleweight Champion | 2007 Goltz Heavyweight Champion |
| 2005 California Middleweight Champion | 2007 Goltz Openweight Champion |
| 2005 Shuubun Heavyweight Champion | 2007 Shunbun Heavyweight Champion |
| 2005 Shuubun Openweight Champion | 2007 Shunbun Openweight Champion |
| 2006 Goltz Openweight Champion | 2007 Idahoan Openweight Champion |
| 2006 California Heavyweight Champion | 2007 California Heavyweight Champion |
| 2006 California Openweight Champion | 2007 California Openweight Champion |
| 2006 Highlander Openweight Champion | 2007 United States Openweight Champion |
| 2006 Georgia Heavyweight Champion | 2007 Shuubun Heavyweight Champion |
| 2006 Georgia Openweight Champion | 2007 Shuubun Openweight Champion |
| 2006 Shuubun Heavyweight Champion | 2008 United States Heavyweight Champion |
| 2006 Shuubun Openweight Champion | 2008 United States Openweight Champion |
| 2006 Idahoan Openweight Champion |
About Sumo
The sport of sumo originated in Japan over 1,500 years ago. Although similar to belt-wrestling styles found in other ancient civilizations, sumo began as a form of ritual to the gods, with prayers for an abundant harvest. Throughout the centuries, sumo has evolved from Shinto ceremonies, to warrior combat training, to an entertaining sport for all social classes. Modern sumo exhibits much of this history through its disciplined training, pre-bout rituals, and mutual respect between athletes.
The object of sumo is to force your opponent out of the 15-foot ring, or onto the ground. You can push, thrust, trip, or flip your opponent, but punching and kicking are prohibited. A common strategy for controlling your opponent is to grab the mawashi (belt). The simplicity of the rules, combined with the variety of winning techniques, makes sumo an exciting spectator sport.
In addition to being Japan's national sport, sumo is growing in popularity around the world. Professional sumo has over 20 foreign wrestlers, while International amateur sumo has participants from over 80 countries. The International Sumo Federation is even recognized by the International Olympic Committee, with hopes of sumo becoming an Olympic sport in 2012. The ancient ideals of respect, honor, and self-improvement make sumo a popular sport among athletes of all cultures.