We did another appearance and demonstration for the Grand Sumo Tournament in Los Angeles.  This time it was at Santa Anita Park for the Tokyo City Cup.  Not enough kids came up to try sumo with us, so I had to wrestle a horse.

The US Sumo Federation was asked to help promote the upcoming Grand Sumo Tournament in Los Angeles.  We made an appearance at the Los Angeles Clippers game for Japanese Heritage Night.  Dressed in mawashis, we mingled with fans, hung out with the Clippers Spirit Dance Team, and even had children sumo wrestling on the court during half time.

I forgot who won the game.

3-time US Heavyweight Sumo Champion Kelly Gneiting decided to run the Los Angeles City Marathon this year.  What was he thinking?  Kelly convinced 5-time US Lightweight Sumo Champion Trent Sabo to run/walk with him.  They tried to convince me to run to, but I’m smarter than they look.

The 420 pound Kelly Gneiting finished in 17218th place with a time of 11 hours, 48 minutes, and 16 seconds.

The 180 pound Trent Sabo finished in 17219th place with a time of 11 hours, 49 minutes, and 22 seconds.

Check out my article in the April 2008 issue of Sumo Shimpo: Sumo Champs Conquer Marathon