World Elite Sumo (WES) rumbles into Newark, New Jersey's Prudential Center on Saturday, April 18th. Following the sold-out success of Sumo Fight Club at White Eagle Hall (Jersey City, NJ) , WES continues its national expansion with a globally inspired event designed to thrill both longtime combat sports fans and first-time sumo audiences. “Prudential Center is the perfect stage for what we’re building,” said Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan, founder of WES and world-renowned sumo champion. “We’re honoring the traditions of sumo while presenting it in a fast-paced, modern format that delivers explosive action every single match.” World Elite Sumo brings together top-level athletes from around the world, featuring live taiko drumming, dramatic entrances, and an immersive fight-night production that blends athleticism, intensity, and spectacle. The WES format emphasizes quick, decisive matches with one clear winner every time. WES matches are contested in a best-of-three format, increasing competitive stakes and maintaining a fast, fan-friendly pace.
Athletes compete wearing mandatory fight shorts beneath the traditional mawashi (sumo belt), reflecting modern athletic standards while preserving the heritage of sumo.
“We are thrilled to welcome World Elite Sumo to Prudential Center,” said Dylan Wanagiel, VP of Sports Properties & Special Events for HBSE/Prudential Center. “As this sport’s fans have witnessed for 1,500+ years, sumo wrestling’s unique combination of strength, athleticism, international talent, and high-energy entertainment will make April 18 an unforgettable night for fans in New Jersey and beyond.”
WES founder Shalan has scoured the globe in search of elite athletes with the strength, speed, skill, and power to compete at the highest level. Recent rosters have included fighters from Japan, Egypt, Brazil, Mongolia, Russia, and the United States, creating a truly international showcase of talent.
Tickets go on sale Friday, February 6th at 10 am ET on PruCenter.com or Ticketmaster.com. Doors open at 6:00 p.m., and the event begins at 7:00 p.m. For more information on WES, visit www.prucenter.com or www.worldelitesumo.com. World Elite Sumo is a professional combat sports league redefining sumo for a global audience. Founded by former top-division sumo wrestler Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan, WES combines tradition, discipline, and elite athletic performance with modern production, storytelling, and live entertainment.
