Tallinn, Estonia – Saturday, September 27, 2025
The 2025 Junior European Sumo Championships exploded into action today in Tallinn, Estonia, and Team GB’s youngest athletes, the Under-15 (U15) squad, delivered a truly inspiring performance, laying down a strong marker on the first day of competition.
Our British juniors went toe-to-toe with the continent’s finest, demonstrating superb technique, competitive fire, and true sumo-spirit. The atmosphere was electric, and our young rikishi rose to the occasion, showcasing the immense potential within British Sumo.
Ishbel Leads the Charge
A highlight of the day was the strong performance by Ishbel. Competing with remarkable focus and power, a young newcomer, todays performance gave a hint of what she will be capable of with more time under her mawashi.
Ishbel’s control in the dohyo was beyond her years..Her fearless approach has set a brilliant standard for the rest of the squad.
Openweight Triumph
The afternoon culminated in the intensity of the Openweight category, where, regardless of size, athletes test their overall strength and skill. The British performance here was nothing short of amazing.
David rebounded after a contentious loss in his weight category to win two in a row in the open weight category, before a loss that pushed him into the repechage. Here he narrowly missed a bronze medal
This result speaks volumes about the quality of the technical coaching and the never-say-die attitude instilled in our young athletes.
The Fight Continues
While the U15 individual categories have concluded for now, the championship action is far from over.
Day Two will feature the U15 Team Competition, where our young stars will unite to battle for European glory in a unified effort. We know they will bring the same dedication and guts that defined their individual performances.
Join us tomorrow to cheer on Team GB! Keep checking the British Sumo website and social media channels for live updates as the action unfolds on the final day of the Junior European Championships.