HISTORY

The California Sumo Association (CSA) was founded in 1998 in Los Angeles, California. CSA is dedicated to:

 
  • Teaching sumo techniques and tradition to people of all sizes, ages, backgrounds, and genders
  • Training world class sumo athletes who compete internationally
  • Educating the public about traditional Japanese sumo, and about international amateur sumo
  • Promoting the sport of sumo through demonstrations, tournaments, and other events
  • Supporting international efforts to make sumo an Olympic sport


CSA began in 1998 with two American sumo enthusiasts who had lived and studied martial arts in Japan. In 2000, CSA hired two-time World Sumo Champion Svetoslav Binev of Bulgaria, who began coaching weekly practices. Under Mr. Binev's tutelage, CSA further developed male and female athletes, including several who have competed and won at international sumo events.

In 2001, CSA held the inaugural US Sumo Open, featuring international athletes, and special guest Konishiki. The event was also the first major sumo competition in the United States that included female competitors. In 2002, 50 of the world's best international sumo wrestlers competed in the US Sumo Open, and CSA's participation in live events, festivals, and on air spread to other states and overseas.

In 2003, Grand Champion Akebono was the US Sumo Open guest. Akebono amazed the audience by actually competing in 7 matches! In 2004, the other Hawaiian Grand Champion,Musashimaruwasspecial guest. A CSA team also toured with Musashimaru to several　major events, including the National Chery Blossom Festival Washington, D.C.

In 2005, the US Sumo Open continued to grow, moving to the Los Angeles Convention Center. CSA also produced the Grand Sumo Open and other sumo tournaments, promoting Grand Sumo Las Vegas, where CSA staff worked and announced to 25,000 people at Mandalay Bay. The 2005 release of “Memoirs of a Geisha”, with a sumo scene coordinated by CSA, was another milestone.

In 2006, the US Sumo Open was bigger than ever, and CSA worked on the esteemed “Ocean's 13” film production. CSA also was honored to welcome a successful professional sumo wrestler as a new member and coach.

Mr. Byambajav Ulambayar spent five years in Japanese professional sumo. After leaving pro sumo, he won the World Sumo Championships in Osaka, Japan in October, 2006, his first international sumo competition, and again in Chiang Mai, Thailand in October, 2007. During his first two years in international competition, “Byamba” won every single tournament – about 15 major tournaments in a row!

In 2007, CSA brought the US Sumo Open to the Los Angeles Sports Arena, a large and historical venue, host to professional sports teams and the 1984 Olympic Games. The 2007 US Sumo Open featured some amazing matches and a huge crowd.

Continuing at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, the 2008 US Sumo Open was another exciting event, preceded by the Los Angeles Grand Sumo Tournament earlier in the year. CSA staff produced much of the Grand Sumo event, including dohyo construction, venue coordination, PR, and announcing, working closely with Grand Sumo, just as in 2005 Grand Sumo Las Vegas.

After hosting all US SUMO OPEN events from 2001-2009, CSA looks forward to further events in the coming years. As CSA brings the best international sumo talent to the U.S., and cultivates American athletes to improve in sumo, we hope that the U.S. can soon attain greater sumo success on the international level. American sumo may never be the same as Japanese sumo, but we are happy to see the skill level improving here, year by year.

In addition to producing the premiere sumo competitions in the nation, CSA has worked closely with producers of Japanese professional sumo tournaments, including Grand Sumo Las Vegas (2005) and Los Anegeles Grand Sumo Tournament (2008).

As a prime source of sumo cultural knowledge and practical sumo event production, CSA is also the foremost resource for sumo film, television, and commercial production. Recent CSA movie projects include “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2005) and “Ocean's 13” (2007).

Finally, CSA is honored to perform sumo demonstrations and events at over 40 locations annually. Please contact us for details on past demonstrations, and for an updated schedule of upcoming events.