About

Great Britain was one of the first countries to compete in Japan, at the invitation of the Japanese, in the late 1980's. This was mainly down to the very well respected Mr. Syd Hoare whose love affair with Japan started in the early 1960's, and who was the youngest judo Dan grade in Great Britain during his time. 

Syd competed for Great Britain in the 1964 Olympic games in Judo. This followed very tough training in Japan and a highly competitive British trials.

Some of the early Sumo competitors were Jim Webb, Bill Etherington and Larry Stevenson. Around 1990, Syd organised the first European to train as a professional in a Japanese Heya.

In 1992, Syd organised a team to compete in the very first World Championships, which took place in Tokyo's kokugikan - the home of professional sumo in Tokyo.

After Syd, the organisation has been led by Steve Pateman, a former judoka and wrestler, with more than 25 years experience in the sport. He helped develop sumo wrestling in Europe by coaching in Switzerland, Holland and Finland. 

The British Sumo Federation is an actively competing federation, having sent members to open competitions in Europe, as well as competing in the most recent world championships in Tokyo, Japan.