Sumo 101: Sensei Seth Takes Me Back to Basics!
Ever wondered what it’s like to start from scratch in sumo? In this special episode, I step into a new world—Sumo Wrestling—under the guidance of Sensei Seth, a national sumo champion and one of the most respected martial arts creators on YouTube. From ceremonial rituals to first contact drills, this session gave me a deeper appreciation for sumo’s power, precision, and connection to judo.
Watch the full video here ↓
“You’re going to teach me sumo… and my viewers sumo too.”
That’s how we kicked things off. Right away, I could feel how different this was going to be. Sumo is not just pushing and shoving—it’s highly technical, steeped in tradition, and honestly, more difficult than it looks. Seth broke it all down step-by-step.
He walked me through the shikiri-naoshi ritual—wiping the hands, clapping, squatting, and locking eyes with your opponent. “In grand sumo,” Seth explained, “this is where you synchronize energy. You’re staring through your opponent, setting the tone.”
The Mindset of Sumo
Despite all the humor and casual banter (yes, we did talk Tyson vs. Jake Paul), what really struck me was how mentally intense the sport is. There’s no cage, no gi—just raw strategy and physical control in a tight circle. “When the fourth hand goes down, that’s when the match begins,” Seth emphasized. “You don’t wait for a referee or a signal. You just go.”
Sumo forces you to commit. There’s no testing the waters. You either dominate or you get pushed out. It’s a powerful metaphor for competition.
Crossovers with Judo
As a lifelong judoka, I couldn’t help but draw parallels. The stance, the centerline control, the emphasis on hip positioning—it’s all there. Seth even showed how a proper tachiai (initial clash) can be modified depending on size and strategy. “With bigger guys, I like to stay off to the side. With smaller guys, I go straight through them.”
And then came the moment of truth—live rounds. I had to take off my ring, warm up my fingers, and try my hand at real sumo.
“Let’s just do a couple. It’ll be fun.”
That’s what he said. Fun for him, maybe. I got tossed around and humbled real fast. But it was an incredible learning experience.
We didn’t just cover footwork and technique—we dove into sumo etiquette, how to win by ring-out or forcing your opponent to touch the ground, and even the value of controlled aggression. Every minute of training had a purpose.
Whether you’re a judo athlete, a grappling fanatic, or just someone curious about martial arts, this session is worth a watch. It was one of the most eye-opening collaborations I’ve ever done, and I walked away with both sore legs and new respect for sumo as a martial art.
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