Mongolia’s Jaagii wins UAE’s first international professional sumo competition in Abu Dhabi
Space42 Arena hosted 36 bouts featuring athletes from three countries
ABU DHABI – Mongolia’s Jaagii has been crowned champion of the All-Star Sumo Elite Competition after winning eight bouts at Space42 Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The two-time World Sumo Championship silver medallist claimed the title at the UAE’s first international professional sumo competition, held over the weekend. The event brought nine elite wrestlers from Japan, Mongolia and Egypt together for 36 bouts, combining high-level competition with traditional elements of the sport.
Hosted by the Department of Culture and Tourism - Abu Dhabi, the competition was staged on a purpose-built platform and marked the first international professional sumo exhibition held in the UAE. The event had sold out ahead of the competition, with athletes bringing world championship honours, Emperor’s Cup experience and extensive professional careers to the Abu Dhabi arena.
Sumo debut in UAE
Jaagii entered the competition with extensive international experience and a record that includes two World Sumo Championship silver medals. His victory came as sumo made its first international professional appearance in the UAE, following the event’s announcement earlier this year as a major addition to Abu Dhabi’s sporting calendar.
Japan’s Ichi was among the leading names in the field. The 193cm, 230kg wrestler spent 10 years in Japan’s professional ranks, reached sekiwake and won the Emperor’s Cup, the highest prize in Japanese professional sumo.
Japan was also represented by Hiroki, the heaviest wrestler in the lineup at 250kg, and Fumiya, who weighed 230kg at 170cm. Mongolia’s Mendee, Tora and Zorig joined Jaagii, while Japan’s Waka and Egypt’s Ramy El-Gazar completed the nine-wrestler field.
The competition also provided a regional connection through El-Gazar, the only Arab wrestler in the lineup. The Egyptian stands at 193cm and weighs 220kg and is a 10-time Egyptian national sumo champion as well as a US Sumo Open champion.
The field featured competitors weighing between 140kg and 250kg, with Tora entering with 825 career matches and Waka with 763. Zorig, at 140kg, was the lightest wrestler in the competition.
Sumo traditions
The Abu Dhabi event incorporated ceremonial traditions alongside the bouts, including a formal ring-entering procession and pre-bout rituals. The showcase was coordinated in collaboration with USA Sumo to maintain professional standards while preserving traditional elements of the sport.
The competition’s arrival in Abu Dhabi follows the UAE’s broader expansion of international sporting events, while USA Sumo lists the Abu Dhabi competition as its 10th All-Star Sumo event.