From SoCal to Puerto Rico

Sumo wrestling holds a unique allure. It’s a tradition steeped in respect, honor, and ritual, where each match is a pure test of will. For Jose Galindo, a Mexican-American raised in the sunlit suburbs of Los Angeles, this ancient Japanese sport wasn’t always part of his plan. But life has a way of surprising us, and for Jose, it would lead him to an unexpected home in the ring.

Jose’s journey began innocently enough. Like many young men raised on football fields and weight rooms, he was drawn to sports that demanded power, grit, and focus. Then, one day, a colleague introduced him to sumo. “Imagine a sport where it’s you against the person in front of you,” he was told. Intrigued, Jose decided that one day he would give it a shot. But what began as a playful dare quickly morphed into a calling.

When Jose attended his first tournament, it was like stepping into a different world. Surrounded by the thundering claps, the reverent hush of the crowd, and the focused energy of each wrestler, he felt something shift within him. Taking second place that day was an unexpected triumph, a spark that would guide him far from the familiar stadiums of Los Angeles to the lush, vibrant landscapes of Puerto Rico. Today, Jose lives in Puerto Rico with his wife, both avid sumo enthusiasts, and has co-founded Borinquen Sumo, a club that aims to share the spirit of sumo with a new community.

For Jose, sumo transcends sport; it’s a vehicle for growth, discipline, and respect. Every throw, every stance, every moment on the ring carries a deeper lesson. “In sumo, honor is everything,” Jose says. “You learn to respect not just your opponent but yourself and the world around you.” In a time when sports often seem dominated by flashiness and bravado, Jose sees sumo as a breath of fresh air, a reminder of the values that matter most. And it’s these values that drive his vision for Borinquen Sumo.

The Puerto Rican community, warm and welcoming, resonates with sumo’s spirit of camaraderie. Jose dreams of growing a community of athletes who train hard, respect each other, and bring the sport to new heights. It’s a bold vision, and he’s not stopping there. Alongside his club, Jose is working to establish the Puerto Rican Sumo Federation, with the dream of creating a league that can one day bring the island’s sumo athletes to the world stage. His vision extends to establishing a Puerto Rican sumo training camp, a multi-day retreat combining fitness, nature, and education, so others can truly immerse themselves in the discipline and beauty of sumo.

“I love how sumo is about respect above all,” Jose explains. “It’s a sport that values humility, even in victory.” Sumo brings people together; there’s a deep, unspoken bond that forms when two people step into the ring and give their all, knowing that when it’s over, they’ll shake hands and perhaps share a meal. This communal spirit is exactly what Jose hopes to foster in Puerto Rico. And with his ambition, grit, and warmth, he’s well on his way.

For now, Jose continues to train and compete, sometimes alongside his wife, as they both champion the sport they love. “I want to take sumo’s respect and humility to Puerto Rico,” Jose says, smiling. “Because we need more of that—sumo isn’t just about the fight; it’s about building a legacy.”

In Jose’s vision, sumo’s potential is boundless. He dreams of sumo tournaments becoming as commonplace as baseball or boxing matches, events that draw families and friends together, celebrating both tradition and athletic prowess. And, if one day he sees sumo on the Olympic stage, he’ll know that his journey, his struggle, and his love for the sport have played a part in that victory.

As Borinquen Sumo grows, Jose and his fellow sumo wrestlers are determined to show Puerto Rico—and the world—that sumo is more than a sport. It’s a way of life, a path to fitness, humility, and respect, and a way for all people, from all walks of life, to come together in the ring. For Jose, sumo is a legacy worth building, one match, one training session, one community at a time.