Three California sumo wrestlers added to World Elite Sumo Tournament in Orlando on Nov. 21
Nevin Barich
Host · Writer
California will be well represented when World Elite Sumo (WES) returns to Orlando, Florida, later this month.
Three California-based competitors—professional wrestler Juicy Finau of Chino, Josh "Siua" Tuitupou of Union City and Gilberto "El Coloso Aztec" De La Torre of Los Angeles—were among seven additional wrestlers announced Wednesday for WES' one-night, 12-man, open-weight tournament at Caribe Royale Orlando on Saturday, Nov. 21.
The trio joins previously announced California competitor Makini "Big Mak" Manu of Carson, bringing the state's representation to four wrestlers.
Finau, 30, is one of the largest competitors in the tournament, standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 465 pounds. The son of parents from the Kingdom of Tonga, Finau has five years of experience in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, along with a professional wrestling career that has included appearances for AAA Lucha Libre and Major League Wrestling.
Finau is also familiar with WES competition, having participated in the organization's Sept. 26 tournament in Santa Cruz, California, where he faced Manu in a matchup between two competitors weighing a combined 865 pounds.
Tuitupou, meanwhile, returns to WES competition with a background in Muay Thai. The Union City wrestler, who weighs 268 pounds, utilizes a sumo style that emphasizes pushing, thrusting and disrupting his opponent's balance.
De La Torre, a 400-pound competitor from Los Angeles, brings considerable sumo experience to Orlando. A three-time member of the United States national sumo team, De La Torre is known for his aggressive, forward-pressure style and his ability to establish a right-hand-inside grip on opponents.
The three Californians will join Manu, the No. 1-ranked super heavyweight in Dana White's Power Slap organization.
The 32-year-old Manu, a former professional football player who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 400 pounds, made his professional sumo debut at WES' Santa Cruz tournament in September. He defeated Finau in his opening matchup, winning two consecutive rounds in the best-of-three contest.
The four California wrestlers will face a tournament field featuring competitors with backgrounds in mixed martial arts, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, collegiate wrestling and professional sumo.
Other newly announced entrants include Florida competitors Brian Dina and Duke "The Viking" Webb, former collegiate wrestling national champion Jahsua Marsh of New York and returning WES competitor Rui Jr. of Brazil.
Previously announced participants include reigning tournament champion Hidenoumi "The Iron Wall" Takuya of Japan and Orlando-based Soslan "Big Bear" Gagloev.
WES also announced that Brennen Moorefield and Jakob "Mosin" Alekseyev have withdrawn from the tournament, with Moorefield sidelined by a training injury.
