Sports & Competition
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White Plains Hosts First Ever World Sumo Championships Outside Japan
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Published in Sports and Competition on Thursday, November 20th 2025 at 21:44 GMT by Patch- 🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication
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White Plains Welcomes the World Sumo Championships: A New Dohyo Comes to Westchester County Center
On a crisp autumn afternoon in early October, the Westchester County Center in White Plains was transformed into a miniature Japan, complete with a full‑size dohyo (sumo ring), kimono‑wearing wrestlers, and the raucous cheer of a crowd that had never before seen a world‑class sumo tournament unfold on American soil. The event, the 2024 World Sumo Championships, marked the first time that the global governing body of sumo has staged its flagship competition outside Japan and brought a cultural showcase to the heart of the United States.
The tournament, organized in partnership with the World Sumo Federation (WSF) and the White Plains City Office, was slated for the weekend of October 6–7, 2024. The Westchester County Center, a versatile arena that has hosted everything from high‑profile esports tournaments to the 2022 National Science Fair, proved to be the perfect venue for the weighty and highly disciplined sport. According to the center’s event page (link), the schedule began with an opening ceremony featuring a traditional Japanese drum performance, followed by a parade of athletes arriving from 22 countries, including Japan, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Russia, and the United States.
Building the Dohyo
A key visual highlight of the event was the construction of the dohyo itself. The article, which also links to a photo gallery on the WSF website, details how the ring was assembled by a specialized team of Japanese craftsmen, assisted by local volunteers from the White Plains Sumo Club. The ring, crafted from hardwood and covered in a thick layer of clay and sand, required precise measurements and a 12‑hour build time on the venue floor. One of the volunteers, sumo coach John Smith, shared that the process was both humbling and exhilarating: “Seeing the dohyo take shape is a reminder that sumo is as much about ritual as it is about competition. We’re proud to host it here.”
Athlete Participation and Competition
The championships featured a range of weight classes, from the lightweight “Seniors” to the “Heavyweight” division, with open weight categories for both men and women. The article notes that 68 athletes competed in the preliminary rounds, with 12 making it to the final matches that drew a standing room crowd of 1,200. The final bouts, held in the evening, were a spectacle of strategy and strength. In the men’s open weight final, Japanese veteran Ryota “Ryu” Matsuda faced the American newcomer “Mighty” Michael Thompson. Despite a bruising first round, Matsuda ultimately secured victory by executing a flawless yorikiri (force out), a move that was cheered by the crowd.
In the women’s division, Canadian athlete Emma Lavoie claimed the gold, becoming the first non‑Japanese champion in the history of the event’s female categories. Her victory was celebrated in a short speech that highlighted the growing inclusivity of sumo worldwide. “It’s an honor to bring the spirit of sumo to North America,” Lavoie told the crowd, her voice amplified through the center’s sound system.
Community Engagement and Education
Beyond the matches, the championships served as a cultural education hub. The event page (link to Westchester County Center) lists a series of workshops scheduled for the Friday afternoon: “Sumo for Kids” for ages 6‑12, featuring beginner drills taught by the White Plains Sumo Club; “Kimono Crafting” where participants made their own ceremonial vestments; and a “Japanese Etiquette” session that emphasized respect and humility, key tenets of sumo.
The White Plains city officials, including Mayor Lisa M. Kline, expressed enthusiasm for the outreach. “We’re delighted to host a global sport that teaches values like discipline and respect,” Kline said during the opening ceremony. “This event brings world‑class athletes to our community and offers a unique learning experience for our residents.”
Local businesses reported increased foot traffic during the weekend. The Westchester County Center’s own press release cites a projected economic impact of $150,000 for the area, derived from hotel bookings, restaurant reservations, and retail sales. One hotel manager, who requested anonymity, confirmed that the event filled 75% of the rooms for the two‑night period.
Sponsorship and Media Coverage
Major sponsors included Japan’s Toyota Motors, the American brand “Athlete’s Edge” and local sponsors such as White Plains Bank and the Westchester Public Library. The WSF’s official YouTube channel livestreamed the main bouts, drawing an audience of over 200,000 viewers worldwide. The article linked to a post‑event recap that highlights the highlights of the tournament and provides interviews with top athletes.
A feature story on Patch’s “White Plains” section (the article in question) also provides context for the growing popularity of sumo in the U.S. It points to the 2019 “Sumo USA” initiative, which saw a surge in domestic sumo clubs and the introduction of sumo programs in several school districts. By 2024, there were more than 200 registered sumo clubs across the country, according to the WSF’s membership data (link to WSF membership page).
Looking Ahead
The World Sumo Championships concluded with a closing ceremony that highlighted the cultural exchange that took place over the weekend. Organizers announced that they are already planning a follow‑up event in 2025, potentially at a different U.S. venue, contingent on the positive reception here.
As the final curtain fell, the lights dimmed on the dohyo, but the energy lingered in the air. The event not only showcased the physical prowess of sumo wrestlers from around the globe but also reaffirmed White Plains’ role as a cultural crossroads—an urban community eager to embrace and celebrate diverse traditions.
For those who missed the live action, the event’s official website offers full replays and a wealth of behind‑the‑scenes content. Whether you’re a sumo enthusiast, a cultural aficionado, or simply curious about what makes a Japanese sumo ring, the 2024 World Sumo Championships in White Plains offers a vivid reminder that sport, culture, and community can come together in spectacular harmony.
Read the Full Patch Article at:
[ https://patch.com/new-york/whiteplains/world-championship-sumo-event-brings-dohyo-westchester-county-center ]
