04/04/2026
On Sat 28th Mar at Brunel University of London, under British Sumo and Sumo England, Deep Sumo Club hosted it’s second tournament to date, the 2026 English Sumo Nationals, and it was fantastic! Having wrestled across the UK and abroad for over 10 years, including in Japan, I was keen to put on a show that would reflect Sumo and its spirit of oneness in a way that would serve as a benchmark, and with grace and support from all, we achieved just that and more.
The stage was set, with various cultural elements to boot (a new dohyo, gong and hyoshigi clappers, a tachi sword and yumi bow, an exhibition with wrestling stories from every major world religion, including Shintoism and Sumo, our journey - both travelled and planned - and even a giant torii gate), as we welcomed all 12 clubs in England with just shy of 50 athletes, plus over 100 spectators, comprising of family, friends, guests and VIPs.
We were honoured to be joined by the Mayor of Hillingdon, Deputy Lieutenant for King Charles in Hillingdon, the Commonwealth Sports Foundation, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the Japan Society, the Miyabi Community, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the UK, the Hillingdon Chamber of Commerce, Hillingdon Judo, the World Kabaddi Federation, the Sikh Games, Brunel Sport, the Hillingdon Herald, a NHS Trust, Community Catalysts, and Hillingdon Interfaith. Some delegates could not attend, but were with us in spirit.
We were also supported by Karan Dogra+ of Oneworld Media, DJ Dips+ of Apollo Entertainment, Amandeep Budwal+ on security, Baljit Lenthdy+ on First Aid, Teruyo Duberly+ for her Japanese singing, Simran Kenth for her Punjabi drumming, Thomas Ferrier for his bow twirling, Isobel Williams for her encapsulating sketches, and my son Ash (10) as our yobidashi, wife Sonali for managing registrations, and parents Saroop and Vimal for their blessings.
The event opened with a spiritual hymn, a welcome and thank you, and then the Sumo began. In ascending weight order, we witnessed over 130 incredible bouts that can all be enjoyed here again: https://www.youtube.com/live/5Wv5MuXzUSc?si=rDbcKqqNX-iuYi_e.
With huge thanks to our officials - Sonny Bell, Lance Wicks, Sally Wicks, Sharran Alexander, Guy Simpson, Kevan Mellor, Henrique Plihal and Lorren Hollingworth - where everyone who stepped in the ring is a champion, these were our results...
W-60kg: 2) Lorren Hollingworth 1) Anayah Ashley
W-73kg: 2) Bryony Bale 1) Laura Clark
W+80kg: 2) Leah Cozens 1) Manjinder Nagra
W-Open: 3) Anayah Ashley 2) Manjinder Nagra 1) Laura Clark...
M-77kg: 3) Robert Godfrey 2) Harvey Dines 1) Alex King-Zhang
M-85kg: 3) Murshed Flow / Thomas Ferrari 2) Mark Jacobs 1) Sebastian Wray
M-92kg: 2) Nicholas Pratt / Chay Hext / Lance Wicks 1) Damien Gardach
M-100kg: 3) Shorai Lai 2) Joshua Christian 1) Douglas Hamer
M-115kg: 3) Oliver Crook / Nathaniel Thatcher 2) Zachary Stimpson 1) Sonny Bell
M+115kg: 3) Daniel Brown / Mandeep Singh Kundi 2) Nathan Rault 1) Charles Conroy
M-Open: 3) Zachary Stimpson / Damien Gardach 2) Sonny Bell 1) Mandeep Singh Kundi...
Deep Sumo Club won as the biggest team (15) and best academy with 5 bronze, 1 silver, 6 gold, and 2 special prizes for outstanding performance and best technique. There are actually too many good news stories and special moments to share, but another that I will highlight was of Daniel Jones from Southampton Sumo Club, recognised for his fighting spirit. In short, it was a great day of/for Sumo, so on behalf of the whole club, we just want to say ‘Thank you’ for giving us the chance to serve, overlooking any shortcomings on my part, and that we look forward to seeing you at the next one...
