Check out this great photo set of the 2009 US National Sumo Championships on June 13th at Muscle Beach - Venice, California shot by Edizen Stowell of Venice Paparazzi

Check out these great photos shot by David Zentz at the 2009 US National Sumo Championships on June 13th at Muscle Beach - Venice, California:

Please check out more of David Zentz’s photography at www.davidzentz.com/blog

Rob Riches from LA Muscle.TV stopped by to film Doug Cochran and I at our weekly practice in Chino.  We were joined by our student Ryan White and newcomer Mark Reiman. 

The video is just a quick introduction to sumo for those who don’t know much about the athleticism of the sport.

Hollywood Extra - Sumo USA

I’d like to introduce a new American sumo wrestler…  SumoBrian

Brian competed at the 2006 Georgia Sumo Open, and took fourth in the middleweights.  The 2009 LA FitExpo Sumo Grand Prix was Brian’s second tournament, but now he is a lightweight.  In his first match, Brian beat 6-time US Lightweight Champion and 2008 World Bronze Medalist Trent Sabo.

In the openweights, Brian had the misfortune of going against the current US Heavyweight and Openweight Champ. 

Did I mention that SumoBrian is my BIG brother?  And I kicked his ass!  That should make up for all the times he picked on me when we were kids.

Los Angeles FitExpo Sumo Grand Prix - January 24th, 2009

Saturday marked the inaugural Los Angeles FitExpo Sumo Grand Prix at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  The Grand Prix joined the Iron Man Pro bodybuilding, the Gracie US Nationals, the Scot Mendelson Pro Bench Classic, and many other sports contests being held during this fitness weekend.

Women’s Openweight

Although there were only Americans competing, the women’s openweight was still a battle of champions.  2007 US Champ Lindsey Hood beat 2008 US Champ Natalie Burns in what had to be the longest bout of the tournament.  Lightweight Erica Sabo took the bronze.

Men’s Lightweight

The lightweight competitors were truly world class as last year’s World silver and bronze medalists Stiliyan Georgiev and Trent Sabo met in the semi-finals.  Stiliyan beat Trent, then Mongolia’s Battur Ganbaatar to take the gold.  Trent beat US Sumo Open rival Tsogsuren Tsogkhuu to take the bronze.

Men’s Middleweight

6-time US Champ Rene Marte is out of retirement for 2009.  Rene dominated his bracket, then threw US Sumo Open Champion Erdenebileg Alagdaa in the finals to win.  American Justin Crite, who is also making a comeback, won the bronze. 

Men’s Heavyweights

The international heavyweights locked out their American competitors from the finals.  Kelly Gneiting lost to 2-time World Champ Byambajav Ulambayar and Avtandil Tsertsvadze from Georgia, while I got beat by Petar Stoyanov and 3-time World Champ Torsten Scheibler.  Avtandil went on to beat Torsten for the bronze.  Byamba got to avenge his US Sumo Open openweight loss to Petar, and won yet another gold medal.

Men’s Openweights

Since Byamba lost to Stiliyan in the first round, I got my chance to climb up the bracket and meet Petar in the finals.  After a great match, Petar walked away with another international title.  Stiliyan toppled the giant Georgian to take bronze.

The Los Angeles FitExpo was a great host for sumo, and I hope we will continue having an annual tournament at this event.

SumoDan Fans

Check me out at theWB.com as I make an appearance in Eric the Trainer’s new video series New Year, New You.  This series encourages everyone to get fit for the new year, and shows various ways to do so.     

I appear in Episode #5: In The Gym, which features Candice Patton from Sorority Forever, as Eric the Trainer shows her how to take advantage of unique exercise options at the local gym.  Candice gets a chance to try sumo with me, and try stick-fighting with weapons expert Nick Papadakis.

2008 Snake River Sumo Classic - December 13th, 2008

The Snake River Sumo Association held their 6th annual “Sumo in Idaho” tournament this year in Rigby, Idaho: home of Philo T Farnsworth (the inventor of television) and Kelly Gneiting (3-time US Heavyweight Champion)

The weekend started with snow and ice, and a car accident involving Jovann Rushing, Justin Crite, and newcomer Ryan White.  All three survived the accident with a few bumps and cuts, but Crite was the only one still able to compete in the tournament.

In the lightweight category, 3rd in the world Trent Sabo dominated Idaho wrestlers Tyler Olsen and Levi Kendrick.

The middleweights saw the return of 6-time US Champ Rene Marte and 2-time US medalist Patrick Greer.  Greer dominated Marte and Idaho powerhouses Rye McAfee and Matt Anderson to take the gold.

In the heavyweight division, I had to defeat 3-time US Heavyweight Champ Kelly Gneiting and new California Heavyweight Champ Joe Isamau.

In the openweight division, Patrick Greer defeated Rene Marte again to take 3rd.  I beat Kelly again to win my second gold of the day.

Thanks again to Kelly Gneiting, Casey Burns, and the Snake River Sumo Association for hosting another fun weekend with tough sumo competition.

Here are some photos of the US Sumo Team at the 2008 Sumo World Championships in Rakvere, Estonia.

Finally Practicing Together - I live in Los Angeles, Trent moved to Arizona, Kelly is in Idaho, and Kena lives on a tropical island.  This was the first time we all got to train together, and it was an intense one.  We were joined by Petros of Greece, who added some speed to our workout. 

Team Shirts - We were fitted with US Sumo Team shirts that were provided by our sponsor Eric the Trainer: Fight.  Here, we goof around at the welcome dinner while looking like an organized team.  Thanks again, Eric.

US Embassy Officials - During the tournament, we were asked to pose for photos with some special guests, officials from the US Embassy in Estonia.  We were glad that we had some American fans in the audience, and they were happy to see us do so well.  

The After After Party - After the after party, we were invited to an after after party.  These are the only photos I’m allowed to show.

Next year, the Sumo World Championships will be in Egypt.  The US Sumo Team will be ready.

Here are some photos of me competing at the 2008 Sumo World Championships in Rakvere, Estonia.

SumoDan vs. Yannick Rossi of Switzerland - Yannick was new to sumo, but a pro at drinking.  We hung out at the welcome party, at dinner the night before the tournament, and at the after after party.  I hope he continues with sumo.

SumoDan vs. Alex Davitashvili of Georgia - This guy beat Kelly in the Heavyweight division, and I wanted to avenge his loss.  I did.

SumoDan vs. Dezso Libor of Hungary - At 220 kg (484 lbs), Libor was one of the heaviest in the tournament.  Libor has taken silver and bronze at previous Sumo World Championships, and it was an honor to fight him. 

SumoDan vs. Alan Karaev of Russia - Everyone was shocked when this two time World Champion lost his semi-final match to Joroslav Poriz of the Czech Repuplic.  Now, I had to face him to get the bronze medal.  It was USA vs. Russia, Rocky vs. Ivan Drago.  We had a good tachiai, but neither of us budged.  Then he quickly dragged me forward and the match was over.

This was my second time representing the US at the Sumo World Championships.  I made a few mistakes, but I am still improving (making it into the medal rounds).  I lost the bronze, but I guess fifth in the world isn’t too bad for now. 

Here are some photos of Kelly Gneiting, US Heavyweight Champion at the 2008 Sumo World Championships in Rakvere, Estonia.

Kelly vs. Alex Davitashvili of Georgia

Kelly vs. Marc Haldi of Switzerland

Kelly vs. Daniel Ivanov of Bulgaria

Kelly vs. his hormones