“I think for too long sumo has been a secret."
For one week, London’s Royal Albert Hall has transformed into a pocket of ancient Japan as it hosts the Grand Sumo Tournament, and one person going viral is Mandeep Singh Kundi.
Forty rikishi (sumo wrestlers) have flown in from Japan, competing on an authentic soil-and-sand dohyo beneath a roof designed like a Shinto shrine.
The event marks the Japan Sumo Association’s first overseas tournament since 2013 and its first in London in 34 years.
In a viral video, Mandeep Singh Kundi was seen showing his strength as he lifted a sumo wrestler over his head.
A proud representative of sumo in the UK, Kundi met a Japanese sumo delegation before the event got underway on October 15.
We look at Kundi and his impact on sumo wrestling.
From Fan to Champion
Mandeep Singh Kundi describes himself simply: “I’m a sumo fan first and foremost as is my family, but then I’m also a British sumo wrestler, at 44 years young.”
His humility belies an extraordinary journey.
A three-time international gold medallist, Kundi is one of the most recognisable figures in British amateur sumo.
While sumo wrestlers in Japan are regarded as demigods, and the top tier of wrestlers can earn more than £20,000 a month, it is very much an amateur sport in the UK.
Kundi’s fascination with sumo began in childhood, watching matches that showcased balance, power, and ritual.
Yet it wasn’t until the age of 35 that he stepped into a ring himself, after seeing an Instagram post that showed a wrestler losing balance rather than being pushed out.
That moment, he said, revealed that sumo “was not only about brute force but also skill and balance.”
Encouraged by British Sumo Federation chairman Steve Pateman, Kundi joined a dojo in Derby and found his calling.
At 6ft 2in and 21st (135kg), his physicality was matched by an intense discipline, training in the gym three times a week and entering the ring at least once. He became a level-two coach and second-dan black belt, mentoring others aged between 5 and 55.
Sumo may be a professional sport in Japan, but in the UK, it’s sustained by passion rather than pay.
Kundi said: “I think for too long sumo has been a secret.
“It carries an allure and we are trying to make it more accessible to people across the UK.”
A Champion with Purpose
Mandeep Singh Kundi’s strength extends beyond the ring.
In 2021, he set an unofficial world record by flipping a 182kg tractor tyre over 100m at his farmhouse in Iver Heath, raising more than £2,000 for NHS Charities Together.
He said: “It went really well. I outdid my own expectations.”
Admitting that self-criticism is part of his nature, Kundi continued:
“There again, I’m my own worst critic and wonder if I could have done it even faster.”
He had the support of friends and family, along with dhol beats, helping him to complete 40 flips.
Kundi said: “These initiatives really allow us to connect to one another in the true spirit of community and oneness, and I’ve found that doing this.”
Kundi’s outlook is grounded in effort and humility:
“I’m not the strongest man in the world, and this is not the greatest amount raised for charity, but it’s about intention and effort.
“Overall, it was ‘tiring’ but hugely rewarding.”
Outside of sumo, Kundi works as an employer account executive for a public services company, a reminder that the sport in Britain remains rooted in amateur spirit.
Many wrestlers, he notes, come from diverse professions: teachers, IT professionals, and even stable boys.
His disciplined approach extends to his diet, which he describes as “clean fuel”, rich in protein and vegetables, avoiding excess fats.
Building the Future of British Sumo
While sumo’s roots are steeped in Japanese tradition, Mandeep Singh Kundi is determined to show that the sport can thrive in multicultural Britain.
His mission is clear – to inspire new participants, including women, who are barred from competing professionally in Japan.
He told The Times: “There are some formidable female sumo wrestlers in the UK.”
That inclusivity extends to his family.
His son, Ash, is already following in his footsteps. In 2022, they travelled to Switzerland to compete, both winning gold medals.
Kundi hopes one day Ash will compete in Japan itself, carrying forward both a legacy and a cultural bridge.
For Kundi, the return of Japan’s top wrestlers to London represents something far greater than sport.
Meeting the rikishi outside the Royal Albert Hall was a moment of awe.
The impact of their visit, he said, was “beyond words”. It also signalled a new era for British sumo – one where passion and cultural curiosity coexist.
Mandeep Singh Kundi embodies what modern British sport can be – diverse, dedicated, and deeply rooted in identity.
From flipping tyres for charity to bringing sumo to British audiences, his journey reflects both tradition and transformation.
As thousands gather under the Shinto-style roof of the Royal Albert Hall, Kundi stands as proof that strength is as much about community as competition.
And for British South Asian fans, his story is nothing short of inspiring.
Loading ...