Juicy Finau Returning To World Elite Sumo
Juicy Finau is signed on for World Elite Sumo.
Seven-year pro wrestler Juicy Finau has signed on to compete at World Elite Sumo’s November 21st event at the Caribe Royale Orlando in Florida.
The press release is below:
“World Elite Sumo has announced seven additional competitors for Pro Era V, adding athletes with backgrounds in military service, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, mixed martial arts and professional wrestling to its November 21 tournament at Caribe Royale Orlando.
Brian Dina, Duke “The Viking” Webb, Jahsua Marsh and Juicy Finau lead the latest group announced on November 4. They are joined by returning World Elite Sumo competitors Rui, Jr., Josh “Siua” Tuitupou and Gilberto “El Coloso Aztec” De La Torre.
The event is scheduled as a one-night, 12-man, open-weight professional sumo tournament. The announcement also brings two changes to the previously announced field, with Brennen Moorefield and Jakob “Mosin” Alekseyev withdrawing.
“World Elite Sumo has assembled for this event a very diverse group of athletes with high-level skills and accomplishments in a variety of martial arts and sports, making this one-night tournament something no sports fan should miss,” said Alaa Okasha, World Elite Sumo spokesperson.
Brian Dina and Duke Webb Bring Florida Connections
Dina, a 6-foot-3, 360-pound athlete from Melbourne, Florida, served as a U.S. Army infantryman during the Afghanistan War. He trains at Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, where he holds a blue belt.
World Elite Sumo describes Dina as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion and lifelong athlete. His addition gives the Orlando tournament another Florida-based competitor with experience in a different grappling discipline.
Webb, 32, represents Merritt Island, Florida, and is listed at 6-foot-3 and 312 pounds. His 15 years in combat sports include amateur MMA, Brazilian jiu-jitsu tournaments and kickboxing.
According to the promotion, Webb holds two martial arts black belts and has won multiple submission grappling events. His résumé also includes a 2022 victory over 412-pound wrestler Thomas Riggins in an MMA-rules bout.
Jahsua Marsh Adds Collegiate Wrestling Experience
Marsh brings a combination of collegiate wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu and MMA experience to the tournament. The 35-year-old Brentwood, New York, native stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 285 pounds.
The promotion lists Marsh as a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and former two-time MMA heavyweight champion. His collegiate résumé includes a 2012 NAIA national wrestling championship and two All-American selections at Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska.
That background makes Marsh one of the latest examples of World Elite Sumo recruiting established athletes from other grappling and combat sports for its open-weight competition.
Juicy Finau Returns to World Elite Sumo
Finau returns with prior World Elite Sumo experience and a professional wrestling career that has included appearances for AAA and Major League Wrestling.
The 30-year-old from Chino, California, is listed at 6-foot-4 and 465 pounds. His parents are from the Kingdom of Tonga, and the promotion credits him with five years of Greco-Roman and freestyle wrestling experience in addition to his professional wrestling work.
Three other World Elite Sumo veterans complete the newly announced group: Brazil’s Rui, Jr.; Tuitupou, of Union City, California; and De La Torre, of Los Angeles.
Moorefield and Alekseyev Withdraw From Pro Era V
World Elite Sumo said Moorefield withdrew after suffering a training injury. The announcement also confirmed Alekseyev’s withdrawal but did not provide a reason.
The seven new entrants join previously announced competitors including Power Slap athlete Makini “Big Mak” Manu, former Japanese top-division sumo wrestler Hidenoumi “The Iron Wall” Takuya, and Russia-born, Orlando-based Soslan “Big Bear” Gagloev.
First-round matchups were not included in the November 4 announcement. The promotion continues to advertise a 12-man tournament; the names highlighted in this update should not be read as a complete bracket.”
Finau has also done Power Slap and has a 2-0 record.
