Sumo Champs Will Bump Chests At NJ Tournament, Including Trailblazing Wrestler-Turned CEO

UPDATE: A new date has been announced for the World Elite Sumo match at the Prudential Center, which will now take place on Saturday, May 16. Our original article follows below.

NEWARK, NJ — A history-making sumo wrestler from New Jersey will be among the athletes battling it out during an upcoming tournament in the Garden State.

World Elite Sumo (WES) – which bills itself as the first independent professional sumo wrestling league established outside of Japan’s traditional sumo universe in 800 years – will be holding an event at the Prudential Center in Newark at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 18.

The 12-man, single-elimination tournament will also feature live taiko drumming and a fight-night production that “blends athleticism, intensity and spectacle.” Learn more or buy tickets here.

The list of sumo wrestlers who will be entering the ring include Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan – the CEO of World Elite Sumo.

A native of Egypt, the 33-year-old Waldwick resident is widely regarded as the first sumo wrestler in history from the Middle East and African regions of the world. He is known for his fighting style, which includes tsuki/oshi (thrusting and pushing).

The sumo legend promised a night of fireworks for fans of the sport.

“We are assembling a lineup of elite professional sumo wrestling athletes who will fight that night until there is only one champion left standing in the center of the dohyo (competition ring),” Shalan said.

Several other competitors have been announced, with more expected to follow in the coming weeks. According to World Elite Sumo, the list includes:

Soslan “Big Bear” Gagloev

Nationality: Russian

Fighting out of: Orlando, Fla.

Age: 35

Height: 6-foot-5

Weight: 350 pounds

Fighting Style: Yotsu-zumo (When opponents grab each other’s belt with both hands) specialist with dominant migi-yotsu (when a wrestler secures an inside grip on the opponent’s belt with the right hand, while the left hand is outside) belt control

Career Accolades: Competed in Japan’s top professional divisions and is known for powerful yorikiri (driving the opponent out backward while maintaining a constant grip on the opponent’s belt) force-outs and polished technique.

Robert “The Samoan Bulldozer” Fuimaono

Nationality: Samoan

Fighting out of: Kansas City, Mo.

Age: 34

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 390 pounds

Fighting Style: Heavy power sumo with dominant forward pressure and strength-based control

Career Accolades: A four-time U.S. National Champion and a three-time USA National Team representative. Represented the U.S. at the 2019 World Sumo Championship, the 2022 World Games and the 2023 World Combat Games.

“Rui Junior”

Nationality: Brazilian

Fighting out of: Londrina, Paraná, Brazil

Age: 32

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 381 pounds

Fighting Style: Dominant power sumo

Career Accolades: The most decorated Brazilian champion with 22 national titles, and a 10-time South American champion. Earned 5 medals at the World Championships and served as head coach of the Venezuelan National Sumo Team for three years. A cornerstone of South American sumo, respected for both competitive dominance and leadership.

Alejandro “El Caiman” Santana

Nationality: Puerto Rican

Fighting out of: Miami, Fla.

Age: 36

Height: 6-foot-1

Weight: 360 pounds

Fighting Style: Uses aggressive push-outs and upper body striking

Career Accolades: A former NCAA Division II, dual-sport athlete in football and track and field; A leader and mentor within Florida’s sumo wrestling community.

Brennen “Titan” Moorefield

Nationality: American

Fighting out of: Orlando, Fla.

Age: 30

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 240 pounds

Fighting Style: Speed and power-focused with an explosive tachi-ai (the initial charge and faceoff between two sumo wrestlers at the start of a bout).

Career Accolades: Has a foundation in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and freestyle wrestling and is able to combine striking, balance and aggression into world-class sumo performance.

Jared “ParHammerTime” Parham

Nationality: American

Fighting out of: Coppell, Texas

Age: 34

Height: 6-foot-2

Weight: 260 pounds

Fighting Style: A body-grappling focuses yotsu-zumo style emphasizing morozashi (double inside underhooks) and gaburi-yori (driving torso pressure) with quick, explosive throws.

Career Accolades: Winner of multiple titles, including the 2024 Mighty Eagle Team Tournament, the 2025 Texas Classic Openweight Tournament and the 2025 Olympia Sumo Tournament.

Jared “The Long Shot” Tadlock

Nationality: American

Fighting out of: Arlington, Texas
Age: 37

Height: 5-foot-11

Weight: 340 pounds

Fighting Style: Technical and tactical, emphasizing discipline, timing and precision

Career Accolades: The 2022 Texas State Sumo Wrestling Champion.Placed fourth in the 2023 national sumo wrestling championship’s open weight division and placed fourth in the 2021 national sumo wrestling championship’s light heavyweight (251 pounds) division.

Edobor Konyeha

Nationality: Hungarian American

Fighting out of: Jacksonville, Texas

Age: 24

Height: 5-foot-10

Weight: 202 pounds

Fighting Style: Unorthodox attack style

Career Accolades: A two-time U.S. national champion

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