The United States has a rich sumo history, particularly through Hawaiian-born wrestlers who dominated the professional circuit in the 1990s.
American professional sumo legends:
- Takamiyama (Jesse Kuhaulua, 1944–) — the first foreign-born wrestler to win a top-division tournament, 1972
- Konishiki — rose to Ozeki, nearly became the first non-Japanese Yokozuna
- Akebono (Chad Rowan) — first foreign-born Yokozuna (1993)
- Musashimaru — second American Yokozuna (1999)
These Hawaiian champions transformed sumo's relationship with foreign wrestlers and opened the door for the Mongolian era that followed.
Amateur sumo in the US today: The US Sumo Federation organizes a growing competitive circuit with tournaments in major cities. Amateur sumo is practiced in dozens of clubs across the country, particularly in cities with large Japanese-American communities. There are annual national championships and regular international competition.
No American-born wrestlers are currently active in professional sumo's top divisions, though the strong amateur base provides hope for future talent.