SUMO For JUDO Guys!! Uchimata Variation & More with Sensei Seth & Shintaro
Ever wonder how sumo might fit into your judo toolkit? In this crossover episode, I team up once again with National Sumo Champion and martial arts content creator Sensei Seth to break down the surprising overlaps between these two grappling arts. From powerful head positioning to unique ways of manipulating over-under grips, this video is packed with practical insight — and a few surprises.
Watch the full video here ↓
Sensei Seth, who originally came from a striking background, now finds himself dominating in the sumo world. “I was a striker just like two years ago,” he laughs. “Then I started throwing people around and got hooked.” What started as a content experiment has turned into a full-blown pursuit of competitive sumo, and it shows.
In the video, we start by exploring a very common position in both judo and jiu-jitsu: the over-under grip. It’s a neutral but tense setup that often occurs in standing grappling exchanges. “I actually prefer the over in this situation,” Seth explains. “People start trying to drive into me, and that’s when I’ll slide my hand to the back, drive the head down, lift the belt, and make them roll through.” It’s a smart way to redirect force — something judoka will definitely recognize.
We also dive into a slick sumo variation of uchimata. “If I can get here,” Seth says, wedging his arm and stepping back, “I’ll take a big step and just lift.” It’s surprisingly simple and brutally effective. I admit in the video, “I thought I had a shot at beating you in sumo, but after feeling that? I take it back.”
We also discuss key concepts that judoka can absorb from sumo: head control, inside hand fighting, and how to blend push-pull energy with footwork. “You really have to utilize someone’s aggression,” Seth says while demonstrating a counter that uses momentum against an opponent.
There’s plenty of technique, but also cultural insight and training mindset too — like when Seth explains the difference in etiquette and rules between amateur and pro sumo, including how amateur matches allow for things like mouthguards and compression shorts.
Whether you’re a judoka, jiu-jitsu practitioner, or just a fan of martial arts cross-training, this is a collab you don’t want to miss. Head over to YouTube to watch the full breakdown, and stay tuned for Part 2.
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