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, Musashimaru was special 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 two exciting international sumo champions as CSA's premiere athletes and coaches.

Mr. Byamabajav Ulambayar just won the World Sumo Championships in Osaka, Japan in October, 2006, his first international sumo competition. Mr. Ulambayar had previously competed successfully for years in professional Japanese sumo.

Mr. Ulambayar's training partner, Mr. Bayanbat Davaadalai is also a World Sumo Championship participant. Mr. Davaadalai competed in Japan for five years, and for years after that internationally. He brings a tremendous coaching presence, and holds a coaching license from his Japanese university.

After hosting all US SUMO OPEN events from 2001-2006, 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.

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).

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.