Grand Sumo Returns to the United States for the First Time in 20 Years.

TOKYO -- One of the most popular and venerable sports in Japan is returning to the United States. The Japan Sumo Association, the supreme governing body for the sport, announced that a special Grand Sumo Tournament will be held at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas October 7, 8 and 9, 2005. A field of 42 top Makunouchi Rikishi (the highest level sumo athletes) will compete with a champion determined each day and a tournament champion named after the Sunday event.

Heading the field will be Asashoryu, the current Yokozuna or Grand Champion of sumo. While there can be more than one Yokozuna, Asashoryi currently stands alone at the very pinnacle of the sport. At the age of only 24, this native of Mongolia has conquered Japan with his prowess. He is hugely popular and appears to be poised to hold the crown, or in this case, the traditional belt, for many years to come.

Sumo is more than a sport in Japan. It is an important part of the culture. According to Toshimitsu Kitanoumi, Chairman of the Grand Sumo Association, "Our Association works to preserve Grand Sumo's traditional culture, valuing the courtesies and rituals cultivated over its long history built up by ceaseless efforts of our predecessors." Every part of the bout, every move, even the construction of the dohyo or sumo ring is governed by rules codified over centuries.

The organizers are stopping at nothing to present a truly authentic experience for those who follow sumo and those merely attracted by the novelty of this unique event. For example, a special crew will construct the dohyo over a three day period to ensure that it meets all the requirements of the sport including the proper mixture of clay and sand and the correct deployment of the tawara, or rice-straw bales. A traditional yakata, the roof over the sumo ring, will be imported from Japan specifically for this tournament.

As 2005 is the 100th anniversary of the city of Las Vegas, it seemed only appropriate that the tournament be held there. And as home to many marquee World Championship Boxing bouts, the Mandalay Bay Events Center is the ideal venue. Glenn Medas, Vice President of Entertainment for Mandalay Resort Group, summed it up this way: "I wish to express our excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming Grand Sumo Tournament at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. The event is truly unique, even for Las Vegas."

Grand Sumo Las Vegas is being produced by Hakuhodo DY Media Partners, Inc. of Japan, in association with Mandalay Bay and is sponsored in part by Japan Airlines. The producer, Dan Yoshida, handled the year-long show in Japan by Las Vegas icons Siegfried & Roy as well as tours by Cirque de Soleil and other artists.

The bouts will take place on Friday, October 7th at 8 p.m.; Saturday, October 8th at 8 p.m. and Sunday, October 9th at 2 p.m. at the Mandalay Bay Events Center. Tickets for this exciting weekend of sport and culture are priced at $175, $125, and $75 per session and can be purchased at the Mandalay Bay Box Office and all TicketMaster outlets beginning Wednesday, April 6. To order tickets by phone, call 702-632-7580 or toll-free 877-632-7400.