From Martial Arts Content Creator to Sumo National Champion | The Shintaro Higashi Show
From Bottle Cap Challenge to the National Sumo Podium
I’ve known Sensei Seth for quite a while now. We started our martial arts content journeys around the same time, and watching his evolution from a karate content creator to a full-blown martial arts influencer — and now a Sumo national champion — has been incredible.
In this episode, Seth and I dive deep into how he transitioned from viral content to real-world competition. As Seth said:
“It started with me just not wanting an office job. I was hanging around my dad’s karate gym, doing kicks and fun videos. Then the bottle cap challenge blew up and everything changed.”
That viral moment was just the beginning. Fast forward, and now Seth has over 411,000 subscribers on YouTube, nearly 80,000 on Instagram, and is traveling the country (and beyond) training, competing, and creating martial arts content.
Watch the full video here ↓
Why Sumo? Grappling’s Most Underrated Art
Many of my listeners are grapplers — judo, BJJ, wrestling. I had to ask Seth what drew him to Sumo out of all arts.
“Sumo is all about stakes. You have one match. You step out or fall, you lose. That’s it. You can’t coast. You have to commit fully every single time.”
He started training Sumo just two years ago and already claimed a national championship title. That’s impressive, but what really blew me away was how he’s been applying Sumo concepts to his Judo.
What Sumo Taught Seth About Judo and Grappling
When I asked Seth what Sumo has given him that he now brings into other martial arts, he gave me three big takeaways:
1. The Power of Controlled Aggression
“In Sumo, aggressive pressure forces exaggerated defensive reactions. I use that in Judo now. Drive into someone and they’ll give you new opportunities.”
2. Mastering Lateral Stability
In Sumo, you have to push forward without getting tipped sideways or thrown. That directly applies to any grappling sport.
“Staying rooted, not getting tipped over — it’s huge. My Judo became so much more stable thanks to Sumo.”
3. Lifting and Driving Mechanics
“Being able to lift at any moment helps me create takedowns and stay active in the clinch.”
Even when he came to train with me as a beginner white belt, his base was hard to break. Years of training and Sumo’s demands built that natural defensive instinct.
YouTube Fame Meets Real-World Combat
Of course, we also geeked out about the realities of being a martial arts content creator.
For all the glamour people think comes with having hundreds of thousands of followers, it’s still a grind.
“I post twice a month. Each video takes a week and a half to edit. I’m telling stories, not just quick clips.”
I shared that I take a different approach — fast, raw, and delegate editing. But the storytelling aspect of Seth’s videos is what makes them stand out.
It’s not just martial arts. It’s martial arts with a narrative.
Can I Beat a Sumo National Champion?
Naturally, the conversation turned to the big question…
Could I beat Seth in a Sumo match?
Seth gave me a 25% chance. I like those odds.
But he also pointed out:
“Your judo grips won’t help as much. No sleeve, no lapel. The Masashi (Sumo belt) feels different. You’ll have to learn that hand placement.”
I’m ready for the challenge. In fact, after recording, we set up a Sumo session — Judo vs Sumo. That video is coming soon to my YouTube channel, and you’ll also see it on Seth’s.
Respect for Tradition (and Unwashed Belts!)
Before wrapping up, we had to talk about something that only martial artists would appreciate:
the lore of never washing your belt.
“I wash my white belt,” Seth admitted, laughing. “But they say the black belt gets worn down until it looks white again. It’s a cool story, even if it’s not 100% true.”
That kind of respect for tradition — and the blending of old-school martial arts with modern content creation — is exactly why I love having guests like Sensei Seth on the podcast.
Final Thoughts: The New Martial Arts Journey
Sensei Seth’s story is proof that martial arts today isn’t just about the dojo. It’s about building a lifestyle, a career, and a platform that inspires others.
“I’m trying to be a world champion next,” he said. “Not just in content but on the Sumo stage.”
I’m rooting for him. And after our Sumo challenge… maybe I’ll consider competing too!
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