Sumo Dreams in the Big Apple
Get ready to be intrigued by sumo! Two wrestlers from New York City are gearing up for their first-ever appearance at the World Sumo Championships, taking place in the suburbs. They claim their romance blossomed after competing in this rather niche heavyweight contest.
Josh Ortiz from the Bronx and Kofi Miller from Brooklyn will join over a dozen athletes on January 30th in White Plains, making a dream they never quite envisioned a reality.
According to the International Sumo League, around 60% of the tickets for the event at the Westchester County Center have been sold to families with young children, while 40% were purchased by women.
The rising interest in the sport has surprisingly transformed the dating lives of these competitors. “I’ve been feeling pretty positive lately! Sometimes, I tilt my head and think, ‘Really? Is this happening?’” Ortiz, 39, who weighs in at 275 pounds, shared.
Miller, 26, seemed to echo this sentiment: “It’s always worked for me!”
Miller made a cheeky comment, “If she’s already attracted to me because I’m a big guy, then I’ll show her I can really handle myself,” he added with a grin.
It’s not just about the sport; they’re catching attention for their personalities as well. They even showed up on a recent episode of “Saturday Night Live.” “If someone had told me five years ago that I’d be on TV and wrestling, I would’ve thought they were crazy!” Miller remarked.
Miller stumbled upon sumo almost by accident. Last March, while working security at a sports lounge, a sumo wrestler left a flyer about the New York Sumo Club, which piqued his interest.
His boss, seeing potential in the 342-pound Miller, encouraged him to give it a shot: “You’re one of the biggest athletes I know. Go out there and show everyone what you’ve got!”
Once he tried it, he found himself hooked, feeling a strong connection to the ancient sport. “Sumo really embodies New York. It’s all about standing tall, and in sumo, the best way to win is to stay on your feet,” Miller explained.
Ortiz’s journey began during the pandemic when he watched as a spectator. Two years ago, he decided to take the plunge himself. He was already familiar with gym workouts, but the unique combination of athleticism and tradition in sumo intrigued him.
“People often see the belt, the mawashi, and think, ‘Oh, look at those guys!’ But there’s so much depth to it once you dig in. It’s a beautiful, technically sound, and spiritually rich sport,” Ortiz explained, describing it as “super niche.”
“Everything in the ring has a reason, and so does our ritual. It’s fascinating.”
Interest in sumo has surged lately, both for participants and spectators, prompting the International Sumo League to host its 4th World Championship at the County Center. Participants from various countries, including Georgia and Samoa, will vie for gold medals.
