What is the closest martial art to Sumo?

[Stein 30]

Hi, i am interesting into getting some form of grappling/wrestling education since i ve been boxing for a couple years, since that, my only training has been into striking.

What is the most similar martial art to sumo? I mean, i cant train sumo here in Spain where i live, but there are a few of Judo, Jiu Jitsu gyms...

What are your thoughts on this? Since Sumo is my favourite grappling discipline, i would love to do something sumo-related along with my 2018 bulk!

thanks in advance!

[Tochinofuji 387]

For my money, the closest thing you're likely to find is Greco-Roman wrestling. Because competitors aren't allowed to grab their opponent's legs, the grappling is dominated by upper body holds and pummeling, so somewhat resembles sumo.

However, any of the grappling disciplines you've listed will leave you in good stead and are highly enjoyable. Freestyle wrestling is also great. Judo's throws are thrilling and a pleasure to learn. BJJ's groundwork is highly intellectual and addictive to practice. All are fantastic arts, and all will deepen your understanding and love of sumo as you come to understand the finer points of stability, footwork, pressure, and kuzushi (the breaking of an opponent's balance). 

Also, have a look at the following website:

http://www.grapplearts.com/sumo-wrestling-practical-techniques-for-the-martial-artist/

The content there has been further fleshed out into a book by the author:

https://www.amazon.ca/Sumo-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Takedowns/dp/1594394091

Most of the content between the web article and the book is the same, with the book having a few more case studies and more/better pictures. That said, you aren't missing out in my opinion if you just stick to the free article.  

Edited November 4, 2017 by Tochinofuji
Missing apostrophe.

[Stein 30]

On 4/11/2017 at 14:05, Tochinofuji said:

For my money, the closest thing you're likely to find is Greco-Roman wrestling. Because competitors aren't allowed to grab their opponent's legs, the grappling is dominated by upper body holds and pummeling, so somewhat resembles sumo.

However, any of the grappling disciplines you've listed will leave you in good stead and are highly enjoyable. Freestyle wrestling is also great. Judo's throws are thrilling and a pleasure to learn. BJJ's groundwork is highly intellectual and addictive to practice. All are fantastic arts, and all will deepen your understanding and love of sumo as you come to understand the finer points of stability, footwork, pressure, and kuzushi (the breaking of an opponent's balance). 

Also, have a look at the following website:

http://www.grapplearts.com/sumo-wrestling-practical-techniques-for-the-martial-artist/

The content there has been further fleshed out into a book by the author:

https://www.amazon.ca/Sumo-Mixed-Martial-Arts-Takedowns/dp/1594394091

Most of the content between the web article and the book is the same, with the book having a few more case studies and more/better pictures. That said, you aren't missing out in my opinion if you just stick to the free article.  

thanks a lot for your kind and complete answer.

i think that i am going to try out Judo this Wednesday, the throws are what i love the most about sumo, and greco-roman wrestling is something that is nearly gone forever in my country (Even when he had so many history with the romans, its sad, actually)

but anyway, thanks a lot once again for your time!

[Tochinofuji 387]

3 hours ago, Stein said:

thanks a lot for your kind and complete answer.

i think that i am going to try out Judo this Wednesday, the throws are what i love the most about sumo, and greco-roman wrestling is something that is nearly gone forever in my country (Even when he had so many history with the romans, its sad, actually)

but anyway, thanks a lot once again for your time!

My pleasure! My interest in sumo has always been based in my love of martial arts generally, so it's always fun to speak with others on that front.  Judo is a blast to learn, and will give you a great appreciation of yotsu-zumo and the techniques being applied.  I also came from a striking background, including boxing, and have to admit I found the footwork in Judo quite counterintuitive initially.  Once you see where they're coming from though the footwork starts to make sense, and it's well worth the effort to learn.  I hope you enjoy!

[Stein 30]

On 7/11/2017 at 03:27, Tochinofuji said:

My pleasure! My interest in sumo has always been based in my love of martial arts generally, so it's always fun to speak with others on that front.  Judo is a blast to learn, and will give you a great appreciation of yotsu-zumo and the techniques being applied.  I also came from a striking background, including boxing, and have to admit I found the footwork in Judo quite counterintuitive initially.  Once you see where they're coming from though the footwork starts to make sense, and it's well worth the effort to learn.  I hope you enjoy!

I am very glad to tell you that it was an old schoold Judo Gym whos been around since the 70s!

The teacher is very strict man who used to be a teacher of Sports in my Highschool (i was never his student however)

Im very happy with my first class, a few sparring and some very interesting techniques all around.

Thank u again!

[Senkoho 552]

What about Schwingen - Swiss wrestling?

 

[Stein 30]

2 hours ago, Senkoho said:

What about Schwingen - Swiss wrestling?

 

Wow

 

Thanks a lot, its quite interesting, but of course we have none of that here in Spain.

 

Thanks nonetheless! haha

[Tochinofuji 387]

17 hours ago, Senkoho said:

What about Schwingen - Swiss wrestling?

 

Interesting!! Another one to throw into the mix would be Icelandic Glima. I'd imagine it's hard to find either though. 

[Tochinofuji 387]

On 12/11/2017 at 22:41, Stein said:

I am very glad to tell you that it was an old schoold Judo Gym whos been around since the 70s!

The teacher is very strict man who used to be a teacher of Sports in my Highschool (i was never his student however)

Im very happy with my first class, a few sparring and some very interesting techniques all around.

Thank u again!

Very glad to hear you enjoyed it! I hope you enjoy studying judo, and have no doubt it will enrich your enjoyment of sumo! 

[Chichūkai 9]

Although rather difficult to practice in Spain or anywhere in Europe, I think Senegalese wrestling is pretty close to sumo in terms of technique and - to a degree - rituals. There are plenty of videos on YouTube where you can get a glimpse of what la lutte is all about, including an episode of Unreported World titled Africa's Superstar Wrestlers.

[Stein 30]

23 hours ago, Chichūkai said:

Although rather difficult to practice in Spain or anywhere in Europe, I think Senegalese wrestling is pretty close to sumo in terms of technique and - to a degree - rituals. There are plenty of videos on YouTube where you can get a glimpse of what la lutte is all about, including an episode of Unreported World titled Africa's Superstar Wrestlers.

Thanks a lot, thats very interesting, i will be checking it out. 

However, as you said, it would be impossible to practice it here in Spain, i have some Senegalese friends (1st generation inmigrants) and they never talked about it.

[Stein 30]

On 27/1/2018 at 08:52, John Gunning said:

Couple of famous Swiss wrestlers at Oshima Beya 8 years ago. @Otokonoyama was there that day too. Pardon the poor quality keitai photos. One guy was called Christian Stucki. Can't remember the other

 

Thank you, John

[Isao 23]

You can try lucha canaria or lucha leonesa if you live near these places:

 

 

 

 

[Yamanashi 3,908]

Fascinating stuff.  The Lucha Canaria seems much closer to Grand Sumo than the Leonesa version.  Similar body types, too.

 

[Sue 520]

According to a quick Google search for "martial arts near Ryogoku Kokugikan", the closest martial arts school to the Ryogoku Kokugikan that isn't a Sumo heya is a Daito-ryu Aikijujutsu school that's practically next door. Therefore, Daito-ryu is the closest martial art to Sumo.

Edited November 8, 2018 by Sue

[wolfgangho 39]

chess?

[Yamanashi 3,908]

2 hours ago, wolfgangho said:

chess?

Well, chess has pins, pawn pushes, rook lifts, forks, two guys stationed within 3 feet of each other scowling, and lots of ceremony, but sumo is a lot more cerebral.

[hankstevenson 0]

I would say go for Jiu Jitsu. I started training in No Gi BJJ and so far i'm loving it!

[Churaumi 745]

Surprised no one's mentioned ssireum yet. It's like sumo but everyone gets a rope.

[Benihana 1,937]

On 26/08/2020 at 16:32, Churaumi said:

Surprised no one's mentioned ssireum yet. It's like sumo but everyone gets a rope.

It has it's own threads.

 

Edited August 27, 2020 by Benihana

[Katooshu 3,335]

Not the most similar, but boxing has some similarities to oshi sumo, especially the use of subtle pivots and being able to move the arms rapidly .

[Churaumi 745]

On 27/08/2020 at 10:36, Benihana said:

It has it's own threads.

 

I'm even in one of those threads. How time flies...

I have to agree with @Katooshu, boxing is looking more and more sumoish these days. I watched one last Saturday night where most of the contact was clinching and shoving. It was on regular Fox TV here in the States if anyone else saw it. Wouldn't say it was the best officiated match, but the general trend seems to be toward more body contact at the pro level.