Fundamentals

Good for beginners and casual/chill learners!

Build confidence and basic knowledge of sumo wrestling in this drop-in. Every session incorporates stretches, techniques based on each participant’s skill level and an opportunity to spar.

Monthly, longer sessions offer an in-depth approach to sumo with time for a group warm-up, a review of safety techniques, skill-building, mawashi-tying and the opportunity to spar on the full dohyo.

This session is good for:

  • People trying sumo for the first time
  • People with minimal experience in martial arts and/or other physical activities
  • Casual and regular attendees of Sumo Sundays looking for a chilled experience focusing on basics and refreshers on safety rolls, techniques, use of equipment etc.

We encourage folks of all sizes and genders to participate.

Upcoming Dates

  • Sunday, Jan. 12, 2024 (1 to 3:30 pm)
  • Sunday, Feb. 9, 2024 (1 to 3:30 pm)
  • Sunday, March 16, 2024 (1 to 3:30 pm)

Instructors

A mixed fourth-generation Japanese Canadian, Kayla‘s (they/them) introduction to sumo has always been through Powell Street Festival, whether watching the annual exhibition as a kid (one of their favourite events) or trying it for the first time in 2015. Kayla has continued to participate in sumo at the festival and in 2022, earned the big bag of rice. Kayla credits this win to previous workshops organized by Powell Street Festival and impromptu training by Shane Pecknold. Through these experiences, Kayla co-founded Sumo Sundays in 2022 with the shared goal of creating inclusive space.

Mielle (she/her) is an avid sumo fan who has been participating in Sumo Sundays since 2022. Her other martial arts experience includes sambo wrestling and judo. She is passionate about making martial arts spaces welcoming to everyone, and loves being a part of such an inclusive sumo community!

Register Online

Competitive Skills

Improve takedown and grappling skills in this new session designed for competition.

In collaboration with Vancouver Sumo Tigers (VST), Sumo Sundays is excited to offer this regular, high-intensity session. Participants will learn VST’s approach to sumo through safe sparring games and friendly competitions to enhance stance, upper body control, balance, footwork and more.

This is a drop-in for those interested in sessions. Note that training uses a battle rope instead of the traditional dohyo — if you have your own mawashi or gi belt, we recommend bringing it to class.

This session is good for:

  • Casual or regular Sumo Sundays attendees who want to build on existing sparring skills and techniques for competition
  • First-time attendees with relevant backgrounds (i.e. BJJ competitors, football players, wrestlers or martial artists) interested in improving takedown and grappling techniques
  • First-time attendees generally interested in grappling (no experience required)

We encourage folks of all sizes and genders to participate.


Upcoming Dates

  • Fridays from 7:15-8:45 pm
  • Sundays from 3:45-5:15 pm

Registration & Fees

  • Drop-ins: $10-22 sliding scale (+ fees) — register online
  • 1-Month Unlimited: $60 / $72 / $88 sliding scale (access to 8-9 sessions per month — email sumosundays [at] gmail [dot] com

Instructors

Hugo Mansfield is a filmmaker, writer, amateur sumo wrestler and martial arts enthusiast. He started training on the beach with friends, and their small club slowly grew into a formidable sumo team now called Vancouver Sumo Tigers. A regular participant of Sumo Sundays since 2022, Hugo has competed at the annual Powell Street Festival and the 2024 basho. Since the fall of 2024, he has provided technique-based instruction for Sumo Sundays’ intermediate drop-in. Hugo continues to lead instruction with Vancouver Sumo Tigers and now hosts the competitive-style drop-in twice a week with Sumo Sundays.

Register Online

Registration is Open

Sumo Sundays is excited to start another season for 2024/2025. We now have two types of drop-ins based on skill and experience. This also means a roster of new instructors.

Can’t decide which one is right for you? Get in touch.

View the Calendar

Drop-ins are priced on a sliding scale at $15, $18 and $22 + Eventbrite fees.

If you’re interested in attending multiple drop-ins or have other questions around pricing, please email sumosundays [at] gmail [dot] com. We are volunteer-run and direct all fees towards venue rentals, equipment maintenance and other basic operating costs.

Sumo Sundays aims to be inclusive of all bodies. This means no gendered matches and clothing is never optional (shirts on, please!) We encourage all sizes and genders to participate, including women, non-binary and gender-diverse folks.

No experience of any kind is required.

Sessions are generally 18+ but are open to older teens with consent from their parent/guardian.

Sumo Sundays aims to be inclusive of all bodies. This means no gendered matches and clothing is never optional (shirts on, please!) We encourage all sizes and genders to participate, including women, non-binary and gender-diverse folks.