From coach to athlete: How Senegal’s traditional wrestling transformed Japan’s Uozumi Shogo

A wrestling experience that became a life lesson: “It has broadened my perspective”

This world of laamb is exciting for Uozumi who says he never thought he would be involved in a new sport at this point of his life.

There have been a handful of foreign wrestlers who have made a foray into Senegalese wrestling. The most famous one was Spanish wrestler Juan Francisco Espino, who was locally referred to as ‘El Leon Blanco’ (The White Lion) or ‘El Guapo’ (The Handsome One). He was the first foreigner to earn a license and compete professionally in Senegalese traditional wrestling. 

“I never imagined becoming who I am now. I thought becoming a civil servant would be the safest path,” confessed Uozumi, who hopes to continue competing for another year or two.

“I’m training seriously and constantly thinking about what I need to do to reach the top. If I start getting the results, I may keep competing. Or if I get big sponsors or reach a point where I can make a living from prize money alone, then I might continue as well.

“But at this point, I have absolutely no regrets about the choices I made. Leaving Japan and making Senegal my base has really broadened my perspective. But I think what matters is how you process things after your perspective has expanded. When you encounter a different culture, many people tend to be critical of it, but I believe it’s important to first accept it, then communicate and have conversations.”

Uozumi’s presence in Senegal has led to some exciting cultural and sporting exchanges between Japan and his adopted home. He still helps to coach Greco-Roman wrestling whenever he can.

“There are many possibilities for the future, but one role I hope to play is helping connect Japan and Senegal. I’m hoping to hold a Senegalese wrestling event in Japan, probably sometime next year. I’d also like to work with the organisers here and collaborate with the Japanese sumo community to create some kind of cultural exchange event,” he said.

“Last year I organised a collaboration event between sumo and Senegalese wrestling at Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. After that, I also took part in an event called Blue Africa Night, which was held as an invitation only event with around 300 guests and was a collaboration between sumo and Senegalese wrestling.

“I also took five Senegalese wrestlers to Japan to compete in mixed martial arts and kickboxing. I would like to create connections in [Olympic] wrestling as well, such as wrestling exchange programmes, and give promising young athletes the opportunity to train in Japan for a month in a high-level environment.”