Sumo Sundays: Fundamentals (2.5-Hour Drop-In)

No experience necessary. All bodies welcome.

Join us for this monthly afternoon of sumo training! Our drop-in sessions aim to build confidence and safety around this popular Japanese sport. Every session incorporates stretches, techniques based on each participant's skill level and an opportunity to spar.

This session is good for:

• People trying sumo for the first time
• People with minimal experience in martial arts and/or other physical activities
• Casual and regular attendees of Sumo Sundays looking for a chilled experience focusing on basics and refreshers on safety rolls, techniques, use of equipment etc.

We encourage folks of all sizes and genders to participate. Priced at $15-22 (+ fees) on a sliding scale. Max. 14 people per session.

Instructors:

• May 25: Mielle and Kayla
• June 22: Kayla and guest instructor TBA
• July 20: Mielle and Kayla
• Nov. 30: Shane and Kayla

Looking for a faster-paced or more advanced session? Join our Skills & Technique session with Kyle and Shane.

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Mielle is an avid sumo fan who has been participating in Sumo Sundays since 2022. Her other martial arts experience includes sambo wrestling and judo. She is passionate about making martial arts spaces welcoming to everyone, and loves being a part of such an inclusive sumo community!

Since 2022, Kayla has co-organized countless sumo drop-ins, workshops and a handful of tournaments through Sumo Sundays, including the annual sumo exhibition at Powell Street Festival (PSF). A mixed fourth-generation Japanese Canadian, Kayla's introduction to sumo has always been through PSF, whether watching it as a kid (one of their favourite events) or trying it for the first time in 2015. Kayla has continued to participate in sumo at PSF and in 2022, earned the big bag of rice, which they credit to previous workshops organized by the festival and impromptu training by Shane Pecknold in a local park. Through these experiences, Kayla’s goal is to make an inclusive and accessible space for sumo in Vancouver.

Shane ’s interest in sumo started when he was living in Japan from 2003-2007. Returning to Vancouver in 2007, Shane found the sumo tournament at Powell Street Festival. Over 10 years, he has competed in eight tournaments and has co-coordinated the tournament and workshops since 2016. Having a varied background and a deep passion for martial arts in general, Shane has found unique ways to train getting ready for tournaments over the years. Shane says, “Being a smaller fighter, it was always my goal to normalize sumo as just another wrestling style, that anyone can play, regardless of size.” As a result, Shane’s version of sumo is all-inclusive where all genders, body types and abilities are welcome. “It’s very exciting to have an indoor training space for yearly sumo practice,” he adds. “All those years doing solo or small group training in the park have finally paid off!”

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