Our Champions
Meet the elite athletes redefining sumo on a global stage.
MEET THE WARIORS
The WES roster features international champions and rising stars who embody discipline, strength, and the warror's spirit of sumo
Oscar “Dōran (動乱)” Dolan
Roles & Expertise: Founder & President – New York Sumo Association · Director – NY, Hudson Valley & Long Island Sumo Clubs · Head Coach – NY Sumo Club
Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, Oscar founded the New York Sumo Club in 2022 and now leads its three active branches under the New York Sumo Association. While he achieved moderate success as a lightweight competitor, his true talent emerged in refereeing. Today, Oscar stands as one of the most respected gyoji in the U.S., serving as Head Referee for top tournaments including the Swiss Sumo Open 2022, Olympia Sumo Championship 2024, World Championship Sumo 2024, and Empire Cup 2025.
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York, USA
Ōsunaarashi (Abdelrahman Shalan)
Fighting Style: Explosive tsuki/oshi — relentless forward pressure and powerful thrusts.
Ōsunaarashi Kintarō, born Abdelrahman Shalan, made history as the first Arab and African pro sumo wrestler in Japan. Rising through Ōtake stable, he became known for his strength and determination and now promotes sumo worldwide.
Hometown: Waldwick, New Jersey
Soslan “Big Bear” Gagloev
Fighting Style: Yotsu-sumo specialist — expert in belt-grappling with a dominant migi-yotsu grip (right hand inside, left hand outside). Known for powerful yorikiri force-outs and clever hatakikomi slap-downs.
Soslan “Big Bear” Gagloev is one of the few foreign sumo wrestlers to reach Japan’s top division. A Magaki stable alumnus, he debuted professionally in 2004 and quickly rose through the ranks thanks to his exceptional belt-grappling skills. Renowned for his strength, balance, and dynamic bouts, Soslan continues to promote sumo globally through international events and exhibitions.
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
Alejandro Santana
Fighting Style: Oshidashi / Kachiage — a blend of raw power and precise upper-body strikes.
Alex Santana is the Florida Sumo chapter leader in Orlando with over three years of experience in sumo. A former Division II dual-sport athlete in football and track & field, he now channels his national championship coaching background to inspire and elevate every sumotori he trains.
Hometown: Miami, Florida
Brennen “Titan” Moorefield
Fighting Style: Power and speed — known for explosive tachi-ai and relentless forward pressure.
A well-rounded combat athlete with a background in MMA and freestyle wrestling. New to sumo but fully committed to mastering its art, discipline, and philosophy. Titan trains relentlessly to build strength, balance, and the true mindset of a rikishi — ready to rise through dedication and heart.
Hometown: Orlando, Florida
John “Ryan” Morris (RugbyRyan)
Fighting Style: Strength — focused on raw power and controlled aggression inside the dohyo.
After a 12-year career in rugby, Ryan transitioned into sumo with the same drive and intensity that defined his athletic past. Balancing his passion for sumo with his academic journey as an MBA student at Texas A&M University, he continues to grow both as an athlete and a leader in and out of the ring.
Hometown: Bluffton, South Carolina
Jared “The Long Shot” Tadlock
Fighting Style: Technical — precise, disciplined, and tactical in every bout.
Known as “The Long Shot of Texas,” Jared Tadlock embodies perseverance and grit. With backgrounds in professional and amateur wrestling, he entered sumo determined to prove that underdogs can rise to the top. Win or lose, he continues to show that you can’t judge a book by its cover.
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
Dustin “The Polar Bear” Hawkins
Fighting Style: Kachi-Age / Nodowa — a mix of upward thrusts and powerful frontal attacks.
Dustin Hawkins, known as “The Polar Bear,” is a chapter leader for Florida Sumo’s Orlando division with over five years of experience in the sport. One of Canada’s top heavyweights, Dustin began sumo with no prior athletic background — rising through pure discipline, dedication, and heart. His journey inspires new generations of sumotori while leading and motivating wrestlers across the Southeastern region.
Hometown: Smith Falls, Ontario, Canada
Larry Velasquez
Fighting Style: Technical — precise, disciplined, and strategically focused with a sharp balance between power and control.
Larry Velasquez is a dedicated sumo wrestler from Moab, Utah, proudly representing Salt City Sumo. Balancing a full-time law enforcement career with his passion for competition, Larry brings discipline, aggression, and technical precision to every match — earning recognition at the 2025 Milano Open Openweight Championship.
Hometown: Moab, Utah
Mohamed “Black Horse” Kamal Moustafa
Fighting Style: Speed & Technical — agile, calculated, and built on precision and timing.
Mohamed “Black Horse” Moustafa is an accomplished sumotori with over two decades of experience. A world championship silver medalist and winner of more than 20 international gold medals, he represents a blend of Egyptian strength and global excellence. Known for his fast, technical style and unmatched focus, he continues to inspire a new generation of athletes.
Hometown: Yonkers, New York
Ibrahim “Omaga” Abdellatif
Fighting Style: The Thunder Truck — a fusion of raw power and explosive speed that dominates the dohyo.
Ibrahim “Omaga” Abdellatif is a world-class Egyptian sumo champion known for his unmatched strength, agility, and disciplined technique. A former World Heavyweight Champion, he embodies the spirit of modern sumo — blending power, speed, and precision to deliver unforgettable performances on the international stage.
Hometown: Sharkia, Egypt
Cornelius Booker
Fighting Style: Technical — strategic, balanced, and grounded in precision and control.
Founder and club head of the Florida Sumo Association, Cornelius has competed in sumo for over 11 years and has won and placed at many events not only in his own weight division but as well as openweight. He has either won or placed at every single US Nationals competition since 2013, earning the title of 2-Time US National Champion. His technical skill and consistency make him one of the most respected figures in American sumo.
Hometown: Panama City Beach, Florida, USA
Edobor Konyeha
Fighting Style: Unorthodox — creative, unpredictable, and powered by raw instinct and adaptability.
Starting his athletic journey in folkstyle wrestling at age 15, Edobor quickly proved his strong fighting spirit. He fell in love with sumo the first time he tried it — and since then, he hasn’t stopped pushing his limits, rising higher with every match. A two-time lightweight U.S. national champion (2024 & 2025), Edobor represents the new wave of dynamic and determined American sumotori.
Hometown: Winston-Salem, USA
James E. Nottingham IV “Knockdown Nottingham”
Fighting Style: Technical — strategic, disciplined, and rooted in deep martial arts experience.
A lifelong martial artist and competitor, James thrives on testing himself across multiple disciplines. He found his passion for sumo through its close ties with Judo, Bokh, and Chinese wrestling — blending his technical background into a uniquely precise and powerful style. With over 20 years of grappling and 3 years in sumo, he’s already achieved major success on both national and international mats.
Championships / Titles Won:
• 2-Time National Shuai Jiao Champion
• Danbury Judo Open – 1st Place
• Empire Cup Middleweight – 1st Place
• Ironlife Sumo Open – 2nd Place
• Tai Chi Push Hands – 1st Place
Hometown: Greenwich, Connecticut, USA
Jared Parham “ParHammer / ParHammerTime”
Fighting Style: Power and Technique — combining raw strength with precise, controlled movements.
Jared has over 2 years of experience in sumo. His big smile and charismatic presence captivate the crowd — but once he steps into the ring, that smile disappears, replaced by intense focus and unmatched power. With his strong technique and explosive drive, Jared has quickly made a name for himself on the American sumo scene.
Championships / Titles Won:
• 1st Place – Mighty Eagle Team Tournament 2024
• 1st Place – Sakura Cup 2025 (LHW, HW, Openweight)
• 1st Place – Texas Classic Openweight 2025
• 1st Place – Olympia Sumo Tournament 2025 (Openweight)
Hometown: Coppell, Texas, USA
Kofi Miller “Onkyōryū”
Fighting Style: Power with a focus on belt fighting — combining raw strength with close-contact control on the mawashi.
Kofi Miller, born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, has long been immersed in the world of competitive fighting — not just as a competitor but also as a commentator in professional fighting games. In April of this year, he made the bold leap from the digital arena to the dohyo, embracing amateur sumo and channeling his passion, power, and discipline into every match. His rapid progress and presence in the ring make him one of the most exciting new heavyweights on the American sumo scene.
Championships / Titles Won:
• 3rd Place – Empire Cup Sumo Tournament (Heavyweight Division)
Hometown: Brooklyn, New York City, USA