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American women make history at Sumo World Championships in Tokyo

U.S. wrestlers (from left) Christina Griffin, Madison Guinn, Etan Perez and Kellyann Ball celebrate after winning bronze in the women's team competition at the Sumo World Championships in the western Tokyo city of Tachikawa on Sunday. | John Gunning

By John Gunning
Contributing writer

Oct 11, 2023

History was made in Tokyo this week when the United States women’s sumo team claimed its first-ever Sumo World Championships medals.

Including the World Games, which have thrice acted as de facto world championships, 18 tournaments took place between 2001 and 2022 without an American woman once setting foot on a podium.

All that changed on Sunday evening when Kellyann Ball earned bronze by downing Kai Pahkel of Estonia in the heavyweight division repechage final.

American women make history at Sumo World Championships in Tokyo

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