Three Prominent ‘Civilians’ Will Go Toe to Toe Against Three Rather Large Pros in ‘Sumo! Sumo! Sumo!’ Arkansas’s First Sumo Wrestling Exhibition, Set for March 3 at Hot Springs’ Bank OZK Arena
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK, Arkansas — Three well-known “civilians” will mix it up against three rather large professional sumos on Sunday, March 3, in “Sumo! Sumo! Sumo!,” Arkansas’s first sumo wrestling exhibition at Bank OZK Arena in Hot Springs.
Banker Don Gooch, publisher Heather Baker and radio personality Roger Scott will go toe to toe against the heaviest sumo in the world and two other rather large sumo pros as part of the evening’s entertainment.
The sumo exhibition also coincides with Hot Springs’ Seventh Annual Arkansas Cherry Blossom Festival, a celebration of Japanese culture, from 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. March 3. Sponsored by the Hot Springs National Park Sister City Foundation, the event will be held in the Hot Springs Convention Center at 134 Convention Boulevard. The festival is a family-friendly event with something for all ages. General admission will be free.
The sumo exhibition also will coincide with the Fourth Annual American Craft Saké Festival, which will be held February 29 through March 3 in the Bridge Street Entertainment District. This will be the first time the festival has been held in Hot Springs. Hot Springs is home to the Origami Saké Brewery, which uses Arkansas rice in its brewing.
“Sumo! Sumo! Sumo,” begins at 6 p.m., pitting three of the world’s most recognizable sumos against each other in a round-robin exhibition.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for kids 12 and under for general admission. Floor seating will be $50 per ticket. They are available now at https://www.hotsprings.org/events/sumo/.
Gooch, Baker and Scott will step into the ring to test their ability to move heavy objects — (1) Hiroki, the heaviest Sumo in the world and who was featured in the “John Wick 4” movie starring Keanu Reaves. Hiroki, who will be flying in from Japan, tops the scales at a svelte 580 pounds and stands 6 feet 4 inches tall; (2) Ramy, who weighs a mere 500 pounds and stands 6 feet 4 inches., and the relatively skinny Mendee, who weighs only 330 pounds and stands 5 feet 10 inches tall.
“This is going to be a great fun event for the entire family,” Visit Hot Springs CEO Steve Arrison said. “It’s the first time this type of entertainment has been featured in Arkansas, and is sure to be enjoyed by everyone.”
Don Gooch is Regional Director of Community Banks for Arvest Bank. Gooch graduated from Baylor University with a degree in finance in 1987. He lives in Hot Springs and is married to Dana. They have two daughters, Georgia and Scarlett.
Heather Baker is president and publisher at AY Media Group, a statewide multimedia firm that publishes AY About You and Arkansas Money & Politics magazines. She is a devoted mother and an active community leader.
Roger Scott, who was "born and raised right here in Hot Springs," graduated from Hot Springs High School in 1982. He is best known as one of the morning crew on “Morning Mayhem” (6 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday on FM radio station 103.7 The Buzz) in Little Rock. He also has a role in "Antiquities," the feature-length film directorial debut of Benton native Daniel Campbell, a longtime friend of Scott's.
For more information call Steve Arrison at 501-321-2027.