1st Time Ever in Arkansas! Not to Be Missed! Sumo!

Ramy is a 10-time National Sumo Champion and former U.S. Sumo Open Champion. 
Topping the bill in the sumo event will be Hiroki, the heaviest Sumo in the world.
Mendee is a 2-time U.S. Sumo Open Champion and a former World Sumo Champion. 
Photos Courtesy USA Sumo.

“Sumo! Sumo! Sumo,” Arkansas’s first-ever sumo wrestling exhibition, featuring some of the most famous names in the sport, will take place Sunday, March 3, at Hot Springs’ Bank OZK Arena.

The grappling goes down at 6 p.m.

It’s the first time this type of entertainment has been featured in Arkansas, and is sure to be enjoyed by everyone,” Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said. 

General Admission tickets are available at www.hotsprings.org/events/sumo/. $30 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under. Floor seating is $50 per ticket. 

The sumo exhibition will follow the 7th Annual Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival, a celebration of Japanese culture, which takes place from 12:30 PM – 5:30 PM on Sunday, March 3. Sponsored by the Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation, the event will be held in the Hot Springs Convention Center at 134 Convention Boulevard. The free festival is a family-friendly event with something for all ages.

The 2024 festival will again feature cultural demonstrations, exhibits, and musical performances including taiko drums. Japanese lectures and workshops for those wanting a more hands-on experience will also be available. There are fees for some of the workshops and events.

The sumo exhibition also will coincide with the 4th Annual American Craft Saké Festival, February 29 – March 3 in the Bridge Street Entertainment District. This will be the first time the festival has been held in Hot Springs. Hot Springs is home to the Origami Saké Brewery, which uses Arkansas rice in its brewing.

For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.

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