The vibrant and high-intensity world of competitive sumo took center stage in Nevada as the 2026 Olympia Sumo Championships unfolded inside the Las Vegas Convention Center. Held on September 25 and 26 as a premier attraction within the larger 2026 Olympia World Fitness Expo, the tournament once again proved to be a major highlight for strength sports enthusiasts, martial arts practitioners, and casual spectators alike. Bringing together a diverse field of elite athletes from across the United States and around the globe, the annual event delivered two days of explosive grappling, tactical strategy, and unforgettable athletic performances.
For the 21st consecutive year, the prestigious tournament was hosted by the veteran organizer and ambassador of the sport, “Sumo Dan” Kalbfleisch. Under his experienced guidance, the competition ran seamlessly, providing a professional platform that showcased the true athleticism, discipline, and power required in modern sumo. Athletes arrived in Sin City carrying the hopes of national representation, local club pride, and personal ambition, all striving to etch their names into the storied history of the Olympia tradition by leaving Las Vegas as divisional champions.
Reflecting on the conclusion of the high-stakes weekend, Kalbfleisch expressed deep gratitude to everyone who contributed to the immense success of the event. From the grueling matches on the dohyo—the traditional sumo ring—to the energetic roars of the live audience, the tournament captured the expanding footprint of sumo within the American fitness landscape.
“I would like to thank all the sumo athletes who came out and fought hard to show the true athleticism of the sport of sumo, the crew who worked hard to set up our tournament and helped it run as smooth as possible, the fans of sumo, old and new, who cheered for our athletes during every match, our sponsors who helped produce the tournament and gave our athletes some goodies and prizes, and the crew of Mr. Olympia and the Olympia Expo for including the sport of sumo amongst the featured strength sports,” Kalbfleisch shared following the conclusion of the event.
The tournament’s unique blend of culture and physical prowess also attracted notable figures from the broader fitness community. Among the spectators taking in the action was celebrity Chef Andre Rush, who stopped by the venue to observe the intense competition firsthand. Chef Rush mingled with attendees and watched the matches alongside a passionate live audience in Las Vegas, as well as thousands of viewers tuning in through the official livestream, which broadcast the fierce collisions and tactical victories to fans worldwide.
As the dust settled inside the convention center, the division brackets were finalized, crowning champions in four distinct weight classes alongside the wildly anticipated Openweight tournament.
Lightweight (85 kg / 187 lbs)
The lightweight division set a high standard for technical mastery and speed on the opening days of competition. Matt Cox, representing Honu Sumo out of San Diego, entered the 2026 championships carrying the heavy expectations of a defending titleholder. Having previously demonstrated his prowess by securing a silver medal at the 2026 United States Sumo Federation (USSF) championships, Cox faced a hungry field eager to knock him off his perch.
Proving that his previous success was no fluke, Cox navigated the bracket with tactical precision and unyielding defense, ultimately securing victories in his crucial matches to defend his crown. When the final bouts concluded, Cox once again stood atop the podium, successfully leaving Las Vegas as a repeat titleholder. Joining him on the podium were David Nabbimba, who put on an impressive display to capture the silver medal, and Mike Kubeska, who rounded out the top three with a well-earned bronze.
1st – Matt Cox
2nd – David Nabbimba
3rd – Mike Kubeska
Middleweight (100 kg / 220 lbs)
While some divisions saw the status quo maintained by returning champions, the middleweight class provided one of the most dramatic upsets of the entire weekend. Scott Cho entered the 100-kilogram bracket as an underdog, facing a field that included the reigning USSF national champion, Joshua Wade.
Wade, widely viewed by analysts and fans as the favorite to take the gold, brought his trademark power and technical acumen to the ring. However, Cho met the challenge with flawless execution, capitalizing on a narrow opening during their decisive clash to execute a stunning upset. By outmaneuvering the national champion, Cho secured the gold medal in a triumphant performance that sent ripples through the arena. Joshua Wade was forced to settle for a hard-fought silver, while Ryan White delivered a consistent performance to round out the top three.
1st – Scott Cho
2nd – Joshua Wade
3rd – Ryan White
Light-Heavyweight (115 kg / 253 lbs)
The light-heavyweight division showcased a veteran presence, featuring athletes with extensive experience competing at the highest levels of domestic and international sumo. Ruslan Mukhamadiyarov, a seasoned competitor whose career includes a notable silver medal at the 2020 US Sumo Open, proved that longevity and experience are invaluable assets inside the ring.
Mukhamadiyarov faced a formidable gauntlet, which included 2025 division champion Cornelius Booker and runner-up hopeful Eric Underhill. Through superior balance and explosive initial drives, Mukhamadiyarov outpaced his rivals to claim the first-place finish. Eric Underhill claimed the silver medal with a series of sharp, decisive victories, while Cornelius Booker rounded out the podium by taking home the bronze.
1st – Ruslan Mukhamadiyarov
2nd – Eric Underhill
3rd – Cornelius Booker
Heavyweight (+115 kg / +253 lbs)
The heavyweight class delivered the thunderous impacts and sheer displays of physical force that fans of the division have come to expect. Mirroring Matt Cox’s earlier success in the lightweight category, Angel Delatorre arrived in Las Vegas as the defending heavyweight champion, bearing the target that always comes with the title.
Refusing to let the pressure derail his campaign, Delatorre used his immense size, strength, and ring awareness to dominate his opponents throughout the bracket. His relentless forward drive and solid defensive stances carried him through to the final round, where he secured back-to-back victories to defend his heavyweight crown in Sin City. Dyson Dunkl put forth a valiant effort to claim the silver medal, while Larry Velasquez secured the third-place position, successfully rounding out the heavyweight podium for the second consecutive year.
1st – Angel Delatorre
2nd – Dyson Dunkl
3rd – Larry Velasquez
Openweight (No Weight Limit)
Per tradition, the tournament concluded with the Openweight category, an event that consistently ranks as a fan favorite due to its absolute lack of restrictions. By removing weight limits, the category allows agile lighter-weight competitors to square off against massive heavyweights, testing whether technical speed and leverage can overcome sheer mass. As history has frequently shown in sumo, size is not always the deciding factor.
This dynamic was on full display in the final rounds, providing a dramatic twist to the weekend’s narrative. Joshua Wade, who had experienced the sting of defeat earlier in the middleweight division when he was upset by Scott Cho, found a path to redemption on the grandest stage of the open class. In a thrilling clash of styles and momentum, Wade managed to pull off a remarkable upset against heavyweight champion Angel Delatorre.
Wade’s victory over the heavier division winner cemented his status as a premier competitor, earning him the prestigious Openweight crown to close out the tournament. Angel Delatorre took second place following the hard-fought final, while Dyson Dunkl capped off a strong weekend by securing third place.
1st – Joshua Wade
2nd – Angel Delatorre
3rd – Dyson Dunkl
For fans looking to relive the action or catch the matches they missed, replays of several key bouts from the 2026 Olympia Sumo event are available to watch on the official Sumo Dan YouTube channel. Those interested in following the ongoing development of the sport, upcoming tournaments, and athlete profiles can stay connected by following @olympiasumo and @sumodanusa on Instagram.
