Quick Take

Kaiser Permanente Arena erupted with screams, slams and cheers as World Elite Sumo brought California’s first televised sumo wrestling event to Santa Cruz. Photojournalist Kevin Painchaud takes a peek behind the scenes and onto the mat as 12 wrestlers battled for the championship.

Kaiser Permanente Arena was packed with screaming fans, thundering slams and the spectacle of sumo wrestling Saturday night as World Elite Sumo brought California’s first televised sumo event to Santa Cruz. Twelve wrestlers from around the world stepped into the dohyō, competing in a series of intense bouts for the championship title, with Japan’s Iwasaki “Hidenoumi” Takuya ultimately taking first place. The event also featured World Elite Sumo’s first all-women’s championship bout, won by Eros “Onyx Dragon” Armstrong, adding another milestone to the league’s inaugural Santa Cruz tournament.

Beyond the competition, the night offered fans a glimpse into the rituals, preparation and personalities behind the sport, from the opening ceremony and traditional sumo practices to the intense moments before each bout. Photojournalist Kevin Painchaud went behind the scenes, into the locker rooms and onto the mat, capturing the wrestlers as they prepared, competed and celebrated during an unforgettable night of sumo in Santa Cruz.

Hidenoumi Takuya and Juicy Finau pose in front of the camera while in the locker room on Saturday night.
Hidenoumi Takuya and Juicy Finau pose in front of the camera while in the locker room on Saturday night. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Before Saturday’s tournament, the male sumo wrestlers rehearse the opening walk-in ceremony.
Before Saturday’s tournament, the male sumo wrestlers rehearse the opening walk-in ceremony. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A mawashi rests on a shelf in the locker room before Saturday’s World Elite Sumo Tournament in Santa Cruz.
A mawashi rests on a shelf in the locker room before Saturday’s World Elite Sumo tournament in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Eros "Onxy Dragon" Armstrong focusing before the tournament on Saturday night.
Eros “Onyx Dragon” Armstrong focusing before the tournament on Saturday night. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
The sumo tournament official, Christopher Houghton, (far left) going over the rules inside the locker rooms before the tournament on Saturday night.
The sumo tournament official, Christopher Houghton (far left), going over the rules inside the locker rooms before the tournament on Saturday night. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A sumo wrestler puts on his mawashi in the locker room Saturday night before the World Elite Sumo Tournament.
A sumo wrestler puts on his mawashi in the locker room Saturday night before the World Elite Sumo Tournament. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Josh “The Ox” Ortiz rips off part of his wrist wraps before Saturday’s tournament.
Josh “The Ox” Ortiz rips off part of his wrist wraps before Saturday’s tournament. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Juicy Finau wraps his wrists before Saturday's 12-man sumo tournament in Santa Cruz.
Juicy Finau wraps his wrists before Saturday’s 12-man sumo tournament in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Hidenoumi Takuya walks through the cramped locker room before Saturday’s World Elite Sumo Tournament in Santa Cruz.
Hidenoumi Takuya walks through the cramped locker room before Saturday’s World Elite Sumo Tournament in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Juicy Finau, from Berkeley, Calif., ties up his hair in the locker room before the World Elite Sumo tournament Saturday night in Santa Cruz.
Juicy Finau, from Berkeley, ties up his hair in the locker room before the World Elite Sumo tournament Saturday night in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Haley “The Bear” Cartmill laughs with fellow female competitors in the locker room before their match at Saturday’s World Elite Sumo Tournament.
Haley “The Bear” Cartmill laughs with fellow female competitors in the locker room before their match at Saturday’s World Elite Sumo tournament. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Taiko drummers hit the stage before the match at the World Elite Sumo Tournament.
Taiko drummers hit the stage before the match at the World Elite Sumo tournament. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
A sumo wrestler flashes the “hang loose” sign as he walks onto the sumo mat during Saturday’s World Elite Sumo Tournament in Santa Cruz.
A sumo wrestler flashes the “hang loose” sign as he walks onto the sumo mat during Saturday’s World Elite Sumo tournament in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Sumo combatants take center stage before a near-capacity crowd at Kaiser Permanente Arena during the 12-man World Elite Sumo Tournament on Saturday night.
Sumo combatants take center stage before a near-capacity crowd at Kaiser Permanente Arena during the 12-man World Elite Sumo tournament on Saturday night. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Hidenoumi Takuya sizes up his opponent.
Hidenoumi Takuya sizes up his opponent. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Two sumo competitors perform their pre-bout ritual, including shiko, the traditional leg-stomping exercise, and chiri-chōzu, the hand-clapping and hand-wiping gesture.
Two sumo competitors perform their pre-bout ritual, including shiko, the traditional leg-stomping exercise, and chiri-chōzu, the hand-clapping and hand-wiping gesture. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Fists go down on the sumo mat during Saturday's World Elite Sumo Tournament.
Fists go down on the sumo mat during Saturday’s World Elite Sumo tournament. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Two sumo wrestlers prepare to lunge at each other during Saturday’s World Elite Sumo Tournament in Santa Cruz.
Two sumo wrestlers prepare to lunge at each other during Saturday’s World Elite Sumo tournament in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Two sumo wrestlers fall outside of the dohyō during the World Elite Sumo Tournament.
Two sumo wrestlers fall outside of the dohyō during the World Elite Sumo tournament. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Abdelrahman "Sandstorm" Shalan gets a firm hold on his opponent during the 12-man World Elite Sumo Tournament held Saturday night in Santa Cruz.
Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan gets a firm hold on his opponent during the 12-man World Elite Sumo tournament held Saturday night in Santa Cruz. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Hidenoumi Takuya looks out to the crowd after winning his bout during the World Elite Sumo Tournament of Saturday.
Hidenoumi Takuya looks out to the crowd after winning his bout during Saturday’s World Elite Sumo tournament. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Two sumo wrestlers fall out of the dohyō during the World Elite Sumo Tournament on Saturday night.
Two sumo wrestlers fall out of the dohyō during the World Elite Sumo tournament on Saturday night. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Abdelrahman "Sandstorm" Shalan stands tall after he pushes Siua Tuitupou out of the circle.
Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan stands tall after he pushes Siua Tuitupou out of the circle. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Eros "Onxy Dragon" Armstrong hypes herself up before every sumo match. Armstrong ended up winning the first ever woman's sumo wrestling tournament on Saturday night.
Eros “Onyx Dragon” Armstrong hypes herself up before every sumo match. Armstrong ended up winning the first woman’s sumo wrestling tournament on Saturday night. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Eros "Onxy Dragon" Armstrong lands on top of Tanro “Red Wolf".
Eros “Onyx Dragon” Armstrong lands on top of her opponent. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Hidenoumi Takuya throws Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan out of the dohyō during the final bout of Saturday’s tournament, earning him first place.
Hidenoumi Takuya throws Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan out of the dohyō during the final bout of Saturday’s tournament, earning him first place. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz
Hidenoumi Takuya, from Japan, celebrates his first-place victory over Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan of Egypt during Saturday’s World Elite Sumo Tournament at Kaiser Permanente Arena.
Hidenoumi Takuya, from Japan, celebrates his first-place victory over Abdelrahman “Sandstorm” Shalan of Egypt during Saturday’s World Elite Sumo tournament at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Credit: Kevin Painchaud / Lookout Santa Cruz

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Kevin Painchaud is an international award-winning photojournalist. He has shot for various publications for the past 30 years, appearing on sites nationwide, including ABC News, CBS News, CNN, MSNBC, The...