The 2009 US Sumo Open continues the tradition started in 2001, when Konishiki was the first legendary guest at the event. In recent years, the US Sumo Open has been held at the Los Angeles Spots Arena, with thousands in attendance. In 2009, the Open moved to Redondo Beach, and while there were still multiple champions competing from several countries, the scale was a little smaller. In a more intimate setting, fans got a chance to meet with, eat with, and take photos with the sumo wrestlers at the end of the competition. This “Sumo Bash” was truly a new sumo experience for many hard-core fans. Of course, there was still a sumo competition, too!

US SUMO OPEN 9th Annual Top Athletes
BYAMBAJAV ULAMBAYAR 317 lbs Heavyweight Gold Openweight Gold MONGOLIA	ERDENEBILEG ALAGDAA 204 lbs Middleweight Gold Openweight Silver MONGOLIA	ERNEST FREUND 186 lbs Lightweight Gold USA	BAYANBAT DAVAADALAI 308 lbs Heavyweight Silver MONGOLIA	SIOSIFA ISAMAU 322 lbs Heavyweight Bronze Openweight Bronze TONGA