Starting Sumo
Step 1: Become a USSF Member
Use our online application to become a USSF Member
Step 2: find a club near you
Use our club map to find a nearby sumo club.
Step 3: IF THERE ARE NO CLUBS IN YOUR AREA, START YOUR OWN
More and more new sumōtori are starting sumo clubs and learning the sport with no prior experience. It can seem like a daunting task, but the USSF is here to support you. Explore the tools below for ideas on how to get started.
1. The U.S. sumo community is one of the most welcoming sports organizations on the planet.
Search #startingsumo on instagram to see the latest updates from our member clubs and to connect with other U.S. sumo wrestlers.
2. Purchase a mawashi or several for your club. Some club owners have made practice loaner mawashi or kids’ mawashi from cheaper fabric, but for competition-level mawashi, it’s best to go with a reliable source like USA Sumo. (USA Sumo is a private company whose sumo events are sanctioned by the USSF.)
3. Learn everything you can about sumo. Our team of club coaches have compiled a database of useful and interesting online sumo resources for you to explore. Use our events calendar to find upcoming events where you can continue to learn from other athletes.
4. Find a place to train. You don’t have to break the bank to do sumo. Clubs can often rent space cheap during off-hours at martial arts studios. If the weather permits, training outdoors is also a great option. For more ideas, read how our club coach advisers got started.
5. Build a team. People are curious about sumo, but many don’t know how to get started. Try spreading the word with a targeted social media ad campaign or by partnering with existing martial arts programs. Learn more about how our
club coach advisers built their teams.
6. Practice, practice, practice. It’s a good idea to begin developing your sumo fundamentals with a traditional practice routine. But one of the most interesting things about international sumo is the way clubs develop new approaches to the thousand-year-old art, so keep an open mind and be creative in your training. Learn more about how our club coach advisers train.
7. Once you have at least three members, register your club with the USSF. It’s completely free, and it will give you a place on our map plus a discount whenever you sanction an event. Online registration takes just minutes.