Sumo wrestling in Edinburgh
Step Into
The Dohyō
Real sumo, right here in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Sumo Club trains modern competitive sumo in the heart of Scotland's capital. Whether you have years of martial arts experience or have never wrestled before, you are welcome to come along, learn the fundamentals and discover one of the world's oldest and most exciting combat sports.
Fast. Technical. Accessible.
A sumo match can be over in seconds. The objective is simple: force your opponent out of the dohyō or make any part of their body other than the soles of their feet touch the ground. Achieving that takes balance, timing, movement, strength and strategy.
For beginners
No previous sumo, wrestling or martial arts experience is required. You do not need a particular body type and you do not need to be fit before you start.
For martial artists
Sumo adds explosive movement, close-contact strategy, throwing, pushing, grappling and dohyō awareness to your existing skills.
For competitors
If you want to compete, we can help you develop from club training towards Scottish, British and international competition.
Two sessions every week
Come to one session or train at both. Beginners are welcome at either session.
What we train
- Sumo stance and movement
- Balance and body positioning
- The tachiai — the opening charge
- Pushing and thrusting techniques
- Throws and trips
- Dohyō awareness
- Safe falling and movement
- Rules, etiquette and practice bouts
Where we train
Yee Hung Ga Edinburgh
471 Gorgie Road
Edinburgh
EH11 3AD
Comfortable sports clothing and water are all you need for your first session.
Just turn up and give it a go
Trying a combat sport for the first time can feel intimidating. We keep it straightforward: meet the club, learn the basics and gradually move into partner work and wrestling at a pace that works for you.
1. Learn the basics
We will take you through stance, movement, balance and the essential rules before you start wrestling.
2. Train safely
You will learn how to move, make contact and fall safely before progressing into practice bouts.
3. Find your level
Train for fitness and enjoyment, add sumo to another martial art, or work towards competition. The choice is yours.
“You don't need to look like a sumo wrestler. You just need to step into the dohyō.”
Train. Compete. Be part of sumo.
Edinburgh Sumo was founded in 2025 to create a place in Scotland's capital where anyone interested in sumo can train, learn and develop. We welcome complete beginners, experienced martial artists, visiting wrestlers and anyone curious enough to try the sport for themselves.
We train modern competitive sumo while maintaining respect for the traditions and culture from which the sport developed. Members compete at Scottish, British and international level, and the club works with British Sumo to grow the sport across the east of Scotland.
Sumo, answered.
Do I need any experience to try sumo?
No. Most people who come along have never wrestled before. We teach stance, movement, balance and the rules from scratch, and you will not be asked to wrestle before you are ready.
Do I need to be a certain size or shape?
No. Competitive sumo has weight categories, so wrestlers of every build compete. Speed, balance and technique matter as much as size, and you do not need to be fit before you start.
What should I wear and bring to my first session?
Comfortable sports clothing and water are all you need. You do not need a mawashi or any specialist equipment to start, and we train barefoot.
Where does Edinburgh Sumo Club train?
We train at Yee Hung Ga, 471 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh EH11 3AD, on Thursdays from 6 pm to 8 pm and Saturdays from 4 pm to 6 pm.
Is this the same as the inflatable sumo suits used for stag parties?
No. We train real competitive amateur sumo as practised internationally, not novelty sumo suit hire. Members train to compete at Scottish, British and international level.
Where else can I do sumo in Scotland?
Sumo in Scotland is organised under British Sumo. Edinburgh Sumo Club serves the east of the country from the capital, and Clan Sumo trains in Coatbridge serving the central belt and west.
Get your sumo on.
You don't need to know anything about sumo. You don't need specialist equipment. Come along to a session and discover the sport for yourself.
Training times
Thursday
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Saturday
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Message us
Got a question before your first session? Email us or send a message on social media and we will get back to you.