BARNSLEY is set to host the British Sumo Federation Championships later this year.

Saturday May 31 will see the return of national level sumo wrestling to Barnsley when the British Sumo Federation (BSF) hosts their annual national open sumo championships at Penistone Grammar School.

The BSF has been the home of sumo in the UK since 1985 and has a proud 40-history of developing national and international champions in men’s and women’s sumo.

Sumo has also been growing quickly in Barnsley over the past year with Barnsley Sumo Club hosting the town’s first ever sumo tournament in December 2024.

The BSF Championships will see the country’s best sumo wrestlers going head-to-head to be crowned British Number One across different weight categories in men and women’s competitions.

Richard Riggs, from Higham, is the vice president of the BSF.

He told the Chronicle: “Barnsley was selected to host this year’s BSF Championships as a real growth area for our sport.

“Sumo is booming in the town and what better way to capture that enthusiasm for Japan’s national sport than to bring the country’s best and brightest sumo talents back for more exciting and hard-hitting action in the ring?

“Sumo is a sport unlike any other and is open to everyone regardless of size, shape, age or sporting ability.

“Despite the stereotypes, sumo bouts are fought with impressive speed, strength and agility.

“Matches can be won and lost in mere seconds making the sport the ultimate in precision tactics, composure in the face of adversity, and balance of mind and body.

“These championships will be the biggest and best yet.

“We are expecting to see some incredible sumo and hope to reach a new audience of sumo fans and athletes as we continue to grow our sport here and across the UK.”

For more information about the Championships or sumo wrestling in Barnsley, visit www.britishsumofederation.co.uk or email vpnorth.britishsumo@gmail.com.