A two-day sumo wrestling tournament started in Paris on Saturday, bringing traditional Japanese sumo back to the French capital for the first time in more than 30 years [1]. The event is the third sumo tournament ever held in Paris and the first since 1995, when the last tournament took place during President Jacques Chirac's term, who was known for his enthusiasm for sumo [1].
Organizers set up a sumo ring at a venue used during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics for gymnastics and other events, repurposing the Olympic site for the wrestling bouts [1]. David Rothschild, the chief organizer of the Paris tournament, spent around 10 years preparing it, including multiple visits to Japan over the past 18 months to build ties and support for the event [1].
Before the tournament, additional events featuring top sumo wrestlers were held in Paris, drawing strong interest and setting the stage for the main competition [1]. The tournament follows a similar sumo event held in London in October 2025, highlighting growing European engagement with the sport [1].
Onosato, a yokozuna and the highest-ranked sumo wrestler participating, expressed hope the Paris tournament will prompt visitors to experience sumo's true home. "I hope this will encourage people to come to the real home of sumo, the Ryogoku Kokugikan arena," Onosato said [1].
The tournament began on June 14, 2025, and runs over two days in the city. It returns sumo to a major European capital for the first time since the mid-1990s and uses a venue with ties to the recent Olympic Games, linking Japan's ancient sport with a modern global stage [1].
