BUILDING THE GLOBAL STAGE FOR PROFESSIONAL SUMO.
Founded in 2025. Built on tradition. Created for the future of the sport.
World Elite Sumo is the first independent professional sumo league established outside Japan.
A NEW ERA FOR SUMO.
World Elite Sumo is an independent professional sports league established in the United States in 2025.
WES was created to provide elite sumo athletes with a professional competitive platform outside Japan while introducing the sport to new audiences through live events across the United States and beyond.
At its core, WES is built around authentic competition, respect for sumo's Japanese heritage and the belief that this extraordinary sport deserves a lasting global professional stage.
United States
BUILD THE PLATFORM.
GROW THE SPORT.
To build a sustainable global platform for professional sumo athletes while preserving the respect, discipline and tradition that define the sport.
HONOR THE SPORT
Preserve the values, ceremony and heritage of sumo.
ELEVATE THE ATHLETES
Create meaningful professional opportunities for elite competitors.
GROW THE AUDIENCE
Bring professional sumo to new cities, cultures and generations of fans.
HONORING THE SPORT. EXPANDING THE STAGE.
Sumo is more than competition. It is a sport shaped by centuries of discipline, ritual, respect and Japanese culture.
WES approaches that heritage with respect. Traditional elements remain central to the identity of our events while modern sports production allows new audiences to experience the power of sumo in a contemporary arena setting.
WES IS NOT A
STAGED EXHIBITION.
Athletes compete in professional tournament competition where victories, losses, championships and performances become part of the permanent WES sporting record.
Every event produces results. Every result builds history.
HOW WES COMPETITION WORKS
ABDELRAHMAN
“SANDSTORM” SHALAN
Former Japanese Professional Sumo Wrestler • Founder of World Elite Sumo
Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan built his career inside the world of professional sumo in Japan before creating World Elite Sumo.
His experience as a professional wrestler gave him a unique perspective on the sport, its traditions and the opportunities that exist for elite sumo athletes outside Japan.
In 2025, that vision became World Elite Sumo — a professional platform designed to honor where sumo comes from while building where it can go next.
THE WORLD ELITE
SUMO STORY.
From the first chapter in New Jersey to a growing national footprint, every event moves the league forward.
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JERSEY CITY,
NEW JERSEYWhite Eagle Hall
The first chapter of World Elite Sumo begins.
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ORLANDO,
FLORIDAAddition Financial Arena
WES expands to Florida with Sumo Fight Club 2.
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NEWARK,
NEW JERSEYPrudential Center
PRO SUMO — New Era brings WES competition to a major arena stage.
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SANTA CRUZ,
CALIFORNIAKaiser Permanente Arena
World Elite Sumo reaches the West Coast.
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THE WES
FALL TOUROrlando · Washington
The league continues its expansion across the United States.
THE STORY IS
JUST BEGINNING.
World Elite Sumo is building the next chapter of professional sumo — one athlete, one event and one city at a time.
VIEW ALL WES EVENTS