Abu Dhabi (Aletihad)
Mongolia’s Jaagii was crowned All-Star Sumo champion last night as nine elite wrestlers from Japan, Mongolia and Egypt delivered an action-packed evening at Space42 Arena, with fans embracing the UAE’s first international professional sumo competition.
The competition featured 36 bouts, giving fans in the UAE capital an up-close experience of the speed, power and technique of sumo alongside the centuries-old traditions of the sport.
Two-time World Sumo Championships silver medalist Jaagii emerged as the standout performer of the evening, winning all eight of his round-robin bouts to become the first All-Star Sumo champion crowned in Abu Dhabi.
From the opening bouts to the final contest, fans inside Space42 Arena embraced the action, with powerful exchanges on the dohyo complemented by the formal ring-entering procession and traditional pre-bout rituals that form an integral part of sumo.
The competition featured an accomplished international field, including former Emperor’s Cup winner Ichi of Japan, World Sumo Champion and US Sumo Open champion Mendee of Mongolia, and ten-time Egyptian national champion Ramy El-Gazar, the only Arab wrestler in the competition.
Following the event, Andrew Freund, Director of All-Star Sumo and Founder of USA Sumo, praised the turnout and response to the competition’s UAE debut.
“Our first event in Abu Dhabi was a great success, and seeing Space42 Arena full showed the level of interest in sumo,” Freund said. “The energy and enthusiasm from the fans created a special atmosphere throughout the competition, and the wrestlers really enjoyed the experience of competing here.
"We would love to return to Abu Dhabi, build on this debut and continue growing sumo across the region.”
Reflecting on his unbeaten run and title victory, Jaagii praised the atmosphere inside Space42 Arena.
“Winning in Abu Dhabi is something I’ll never forget,” Jaagii said. “The atmosphere made this victory even more special. The competition was challenging from start to finish, so I’m incredibly proud to be champion and I’ll take away some great memories from this evening.”
Egypt’s Ramy El-Gazar also provided a strong Arab presence at Space42 Arena as the only Arab wrestler among the nine-man field.
“The atmosphere in Abu Dhabi was incredible, and I was proud to compete in front of fans from across the region,” El-Gazar said. “The enthusiasm throughout the evening showed the growing interest in sumo, and I hope to see more Arab wrestlers competing internationally in the future.”
The sold-out debut marked an important milestone for international professional sumo in the UAE, while adding another international sporting experience to Abu Dhabi’s diverse events calendar.
The All-Star Sumo Competition was held in collaboration with USA Sumo, ensuring the competition was delivered to the highest professional standards while preserving the traditions and authentic character of the sport.