2003 US SUMO OPEN - 3rd Annual
Sunday, August 3, 2003 4:30PM      Manhattan Country Club, Los Angeles

The California Sumo Association (CSA) held several major tournaments in 2003. The main events included:

The third annual US SUMO OPEN featured special guest, AKEBONO, and 31 sumo athletes from all over the world. Many of the 2002 champions met again in the final rounds, and once again, foreign teams dominated the event.
Athletes and fans alike were excited to meet yokozuna (grand champion) AKEBONO at the 2003 US SUMO OPEN. AKEBONO demonstrated sumo, taught international teams, and commentated at the tournament. The sumo legend announced that he looks forward to seeing everyone in Los Angeles again.

International sumo athletes are ready for the competition.............................................................. Photo: Chieko Hayashi

 

US SUMO OPEN 3rd Annual Top Athletes
BARNABAS TOTH
358 lbs
Heavyweight Gold
Openweight Gold
Hungary
TROY COLLINS
 245 lbs
Middleweight Bronze
Openweight Silver
USA
MAJOR GYULA
253 lbs
Middleweight Gold
Openweight Bronze
Hungary
FLO KINSLOW
160 lbs
Middleweight Gold
Openweight Gold
Lebanon
MAHSHID TARAZI
178 lbs
Heavyweight Gold
Openweight Silver
USA


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Sumo Clinic with AKEBONO DETAILS
 Saturday, August 2, 2003       Manhattan Country Club, Los Angeles

AKEBONO, now a professional sumo stablemaster in Japan, taught proper sumo ritual and technique at a sumo clinic for international sumo teams. It is very rare for a stablemaster to teach outside his own stable, so the athletes at the clinic got a very rare treat, including one-on-one coaching by the Grand Master himself.

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"SUMO EAST AND WEST" movie screening and Q&A with AKEBONO photos
Friday, August 1, 2003 -- 7:00PM..... Aratani/Japan America Theater, Los Angeles

A screening was held of the groundbreaking film showing professional Japanese sumo and international amateur sumo, including footage of AKEBONO. AKEBONO gave an exciting speech and answered audience questions after the screening. Fans of all ages kept calling out questions for half an hour until AKEBONO had to be pulled out for his next appearance.
SUMO EAST AND WEST VIDEO


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SUMO TOURNAMENT #1 DETAILS
Sunday, June 29, 2003      Manhattan Country Club, Los Angeles

Sumo Tournament #1 featured some of America's top sumo wrestlers, including two US National champions, and several medalists from the 2002 US Sumo Open. The initial rounds were dramatic, but the competition really heated up in the openweight rounds.

Tournament #1 Top Athletes
TROY COLLINS
245 lbs
Middleweight Gold
Openweight Gold
TRENT SABO
185 lbs
Lightweight Gold
Openweight Silver
JACK KEENER
270 lbs
Heavyweight Gold
Openweight Bronze
ASI FAOA
270 lbs
Heavyweight Silver




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SUMO TOURNAMENT #2 DETAILS
Sunday, July 13, 2003      Manhattan Country Club, Los Angeles

Sumo Tournament #2 featured some amazing upsets, including a stunning performance by the only lightweight, Trent Sabo, who defeated all middleweight and heavyweight contenders in the opening rounds! Female sumo athletes also added to the excitement.

Tournament #2 Annual Top Athletes
MOSI HUPMHREY
 293 lbs
Heavyweight Gold
Openweight Gold
TRENT SABO
180 lbs
Lightweight Gold
Openweight Silver
TROY COLLINS
 245 lbs
Middleweight Gold
Openweight Bronze
ASHLEE IRISH
 135 lbs
Openweight Gold
MAY CHUNG
108 lbs
Openweight Silver