The world of strength sports descended upon the entertainment capital of the world this autumn, delivering high-intensity competition, dramatic upsets, and enduring championship legacies. The 2026 Olympia Sumo Championships took place on September 25 and 26 inside the expansive Las Vegas Convention Center, serving as a marquee attraction during the bustling 2026 Olympia World Fitness Expo.
For the 21st consecutive year, the prestigious tournament was spearheaded and hosted by Dan Kalbfleisch, widely known throughout the combat sports community as "Sumo Dan." Under his veteran leadership, athletes traveled from all corners of the United States and various international destinations to converge on Sin City. Their objective was singular: to test their mettle on one of the grandest stages in fitness and leave Nevada wearing the coveted championship gold.
The annual Olympia tradition once again proved why sumo continues to carve out a passionate, expanding audience within the broader umbrella of strength athletics. Merging centuries of tradition with modern athletic conditioning, the competitors showcased a unique blend of explosive power, technical mastery, agility, and mental fortitude. From lightweight technicians to heavyweight behemoths, every competitor who stepped onto the dohyo (ring) understood the gravity of performing under the bright lights of the Olympia Expo.
Following the conclusion of the two-day event, Kalbfleisch reflected on the immense success of the tournament. He expressed profound gratitude to the diverse coalition of people who helped bring the vision to life, noting that an event of this scale requires a synchronized effort from competitors, operational staff, enthusiastic crowds, supportive sponsors, and the core Olympia organization.
"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 in a statement following the event.
The high-profile gathering also drew notable figures from across the fitness and entertainment industries. Among the spectators taking in the fierce on-mat action was celebrity fitness personality Chef Andre Rush. He spent time interacting with athletes and observing the matches alongside a captivated live audience in Las Vegas, as well as thousands of digital viewers tuning in through the official event livestream.
As the dust settled on a weekend defined by dramatic clashes and tactical brilliance, the results across the various weight classes and the highly anticipated Openweight division provided plenty of talking points for combat sports enthusiasts worldwide.
Lightweight (85 kg/187 lbs)
In the 85-kilogram division, consistency and championship experience reigned supreme. Matt Cox, representing the Honu Sumo club out of San Diego, entered the 2026 championships carrying the heavy target of being the defending titleholder in his weight class. Cox managed to successfully defend his turf, putting on a technical masterclass to leave Las Vegas once again as a repeat champion.
Cox’s victory further cements his status as a dominant force in his weight category, particularly coming off a strong performance earlier in the competitive cycle where he secured a silver medal at the 2026 United States Sumo Federation (USSF) championships. While Cox ultimately claimed the top step of the podium, the division featured fierce battles for the remaining medals. David Nabbimba put up a stellar performance to capture the silver medal, while Mike Kubeska fought his way through a tough bracket to secure the bronze, rounding out a highly competitive lightweight podium.
Middleweight (100 kg/220 lbs)
One of the most thrilling storylines of the weekend unfolded within the 100-kilogram middleweight division. Scott Cho entered the tournament as a formidable competitor, but few analysts or spectators predicted he would run the table against the division’s established elite. In a stunning upset, Cho managed to defeat the reigning USSF national champion, Joshua Wade, in a tactical showdown that electrified the crowd inside the Las Vegas Convention Center.
Cho’s gold medal performance proved that determination and precise execution can overcome championship pedigree. Following Cho and Wade, who secured first and second place respectively, Ryan White put forth a commendable effort to round out the podium, claiming the bronze medal after a series of grueling encounters.
Light-Heavyweight (115 kg/253 lbs)
The 115-kilogram light-heavyweight class showcased a mix of veteran savvy and evolving divisional power. Ruslan Mukhamadiyarov, a seasoned competitor who has spent years establishing himself as a premier talent on the mat—including a notable silver medal finish at the 2020 US Sumo Open—finally broke through to claim the gold medal in Las Vegas.
Mukhamadiyarov’s path to the top was far from easy, requiring him to navigate a bracket stacked with elite talent. Eric Underhill showcased exceptional strength and tactical awareness to secure the silver medal. Meanwhile, the defending 2025 champion, Cornelius Booker, fought valiantly to earn a spot on the podium, ultimately taking home the bronze medal in a fiercely contested division.
Heavyweight (+115 kg/+253 lbs)
Much like the lightweight division, the heavyweight class featured a defending champion who refused to relinquish his crown. Angel Delatorre arrived in Sin City determined to replicate his past success, using his immense size, leverage, and ring awareness to dominate the opposition and secure back-to-back heavyweight titles.
Delatorre’s path required him to overcome a hungry field of ultra-heavyweights. Dyson Dunkl put up a formidable challenge throughout the tournament, ultimately capturing the silver medal and establishing himself as a top-tier threat in the division. Securing the third spot on the podium for the second consecutive year was Larry Velasquez, whose durability and consistency earned him another hard-fought bronze medal in Las Vegas.
Openweight (no weight limit)
Perhaps the most eagerly anticipated and unpredictable segment of any sumo tournament is the Openweight category. By removing all weight restrictions, the division allows lighter athletes to test their skills against the massive heavyweights. In sumo, sheer mass is an enormous advantage, but it is rarely the sole deciding factor; technique, speed, and leverage frequently level the playing field.
The 2026 Openweight tournament delivered on its reputation for high drama. Earlier in the weekend, Joshua Wade had suffered a narrow heartbreak in the middleweight division, falling just short of gold against Scott Cho. However, Wade demonstrated elite resilience by entering the Openweight bracket and engineering the upset of the tournament. In a stunning display of skill and tactical brilliance, Wade managed to defeat heavyweight champion Angel Delatorre, seizing the Openweight crown and capturing one of the most prestigious titles of the weekend.
Delatorre graciously accepted the silver medal following the hard-fought final, while Dyson Dunkl added to his successful weekend by securing the bronze medal in the division.
For fans who missed out on the live action or wish to relive the most memorable moments, replays of several matches from the 2026 Olympia Sumo event are currently available to watch on the official Sumo Dan YouTube channel. Those looking to stay connected with the sport and follow future developments in Olympia Sumo can find updates and media by following @olympiasumo and @sumodanusa on Instagram.
