Over the past 15 years, all 29 former heavyweight and middleweight sumo players who won gold medals, whether in the men’s heavyweight or men’s open weight divisions, were not from the US.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s share in the US Sumo Open tournament is remarkable, and this year Ramy Elgazzar won first place in the heavyweight division and second place in open weight. Also, Egypt’s Ramy Belal won first place in the middleweight division.
But the US is also celebrating this year with Roy Sims who is the first American to win a US Sumo gold medal. Roy Sims acquired first place in the open weight division, but obtained third place in the heavyweight division.
The tournament’s men’s general results for the lightweight division included the Mongolian Nyambayar Lkhanaa, who acquired first place, while his compatriot Boldbaatar Baldundorj acquired second. The American Angel Castillo acquired third position. Egyptian Ramy Belal took first place for middleweight, while the second and third places were acquired by the Mongolians Bayarnmunkh Bavuudorj and Battsengel Ochgerel respectively.
Meanwhile, Egyptian Ramy Elgazzar won first place in the heavyweight competitions, while second place was acquired by the Mongolian Byambajav Ulambayar and third place by the American Roy Sims. The first place for the open weight competitions went to the American Roy Sims, while second place went to the Egyptian Ramy Elgazzar and third place went to the Mongolian Byambajav Ulambayar.
In the women’s competitions, throughout the lightweight competitions, American Jenelle Hamilton acquired first place, while the Mongolian Solongo Tsend obtained second. The first place for the middleweight competitions was acquired by Natasha Ikejiri, representing Brazil, while second and third place were obtained by Sonya del Gallego and Cody Stout respectively, representing the US.
The first place for the heavyweight competition went to the American Lauren Eggleston. As for the open weight division, the American Jenelle Hamilton obtained first place, Natasha Ikejiri came second and Sonya del Gallego won third.
Reporting by Maydaa Abo El-Nadar
