Seven new competitors are officially locked in for World Elite Sumo’s 12-man openweight professional sumo tournament, “Pro Era V,” scheduled to tear up Caribe Royale Orlando on November 21. This isn’t just a few new faces, folks. We’re talking about a lineup that’s bringing in top-tier talent from across the combat sports world, making this one-night event look absolutely insane.
The New Heavy Hitters Just Dropped
World Elite Sumo is not playing around, dropping some serious names into the mix. We’ve got Brian Dina, a U.S. Army veteran and Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor from Melbourne, standing 6-foot-3 and weighing a massive 360 pounds. He served as an Army infantryman in Afghanistan, so you know he’s got that grit. Then there’s Duke “The Viking” Webb, a 32-year-old MMA and kickboxing veteran from Merritt Island, tipping the scales at 6-foot-3 and 312 pounds after 15-plus years in combat sports. He’s got multiple submission grappling wins and even took down a 412-pound fighter in 2022. That’s serious business.
But wait, there’s more. Jahsua Marsh, a 35-year-old beast from Brentwood, New York, is coming in at 6-foot-3, 285 pounds. This guy is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, a two-time All-American, and the 2012 NAIA national wrestling champion out of Midland University. Oh, and he’s also a two-time heavyweight MMA champion. Talk about a resume! And get this: professional wrestler “Juicy” Finau, a veteran of World Elite Sumo, joins the roster with one of the biggest frames in the tournament, a staggering 6-foot-4 and 465 pounds. The 30-year-old California native brings a background in Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling, plus pro wrestling experience with AAA Lucha Libre and Major League Wrestling. This is not going to be a walk in the park for anyone.
Who’s In, Who’s Out, and What It All Means
Alongside these powerhouses, World Elite Sumo veterans Rui Jr. from Brazil, Josh “Siua” Tuitupou out of Union City, California, and Gilberto “El Coloso Aztec” De La Torre from Los Angeles are also stepping into the ring. So, it’s not just fresh faces, but some experienced sumo pros coming back to throw down.
On the flip side, we did see a couple of withdrawals. Brennen Moorefield is out due to a training injury, which is a total bummer, and Jakob “Mosin” Alekseyev has also withdrawn, though no reason was given there. Still, the roster is stacked. World Elite Sumo spokesperson Alaa Okasha summed it up perfectly, saying they’ve “assembled for this event a very diverse group of athletes with high-level skills and accomplishments in a variety of martial arts and sports, making this one-night tournament something no sports fan should miss.” He’s not wrong.
These new athletes are joining an already insane list of previously revealed competitors, including Makini “Big Mak” Manu, the top-ranked super heavyweight in Dana White’s Power Slap organization, and Hidenoumi “The Iron Wall” Takuya, a former top-division Japanese sumo wrestler from Tokyo. Plus, Soslan “Big Bear” Gagloev, who competes right out of Orlando, is ready to defend home turf.
You seriously don’t want to miss this. Mark your calendars for November 21, because World Elite Sumo: Pro Era V kicks off at 7 p.m. at Caribe Royale Orlando, with doors opening an hour earlier. Grab your tickets through VBO Tickets and get ready, because this lineup is absolutely stacked and promises a night of unforgettable action.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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