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Emanuel Yarborough, left, and Andrew Freund wrestle in the open weight category of the National Sumo Wrestling Championships at Jackson Hole High School on Saturday. NEWS&GUIDE PHOTO / JENNA SCHOENEFELD

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Dan Kalbfleisch continued his quick rise to the top of the sumo world in the United States on Saturday night when he won the heavyweight and open class division of the Sumo National Championships at Jackson Hole High School.

Kalbfleisch, from Los Angeles, defeated Snake River Sumo Association president Kelly Gneiting in the heavyweight championship match and then went on to win his third straight heavyweight title.

“I felt great today,” said Kalbfleisch, who will now represent the United States at the World Sumo Championships in Poland in October. “I wanted to defend my title and I did. I consider it a success.”

Sumo’s return to Jackson Saturday was a triumphant one. More than 200 enthusiastic spectators showed up at the high school’s gymnasium to watch more than two dozen wrestlers — big and small, male and female — compete in the centuries-old sport.

The top draw turned out to be the wrestler who wasn’t competing for any titles: amateur wrestler Emmanuel Yarborough, who stands 6-foot-8 and weighs 620 pounds, down from his previous weight of 720 pounds. Yarborough sat on the sidelines for most of the night, posing for pictures and signing autographs. He created a major buzz by competing in two matches in the open class, winning his first before falling in his second.

The more than three-hour competition crowned champions in the lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight, open class and women’s classes.
Javon Rushing won the lightweight crown. Rene Marti captured the middleweight crown. Kalbfleisch won the heavyweight and open class crown. Kenna Heffernan won the open weight class while Casey Burns won the master’s class.

The woman’s division, which featured four competitors, was won by Ashley Powell.

Kalbfleisch, however, was the star of the competition. He has become one of the top sumo wrestlers in the U.S. in just his fifth year of competition.

Kalbfleisch was introduced to sumo in 2005 when he saw the documentary film “Sumo East and West.” After that, he gave the sport a try and became the 2007 U.S. champion by winning the open weight division. He continued his dominance by winning the heavyweight title in 2008, ’09 and again this year. Kalbfleisch’s goal is now to become the second American to win gold at the Sumo World Championships.

“I love the sport,” he said. “It’s a very respectful sport, and the athletes respect each other.”

Gneiting, meanwhile, has finished second to Kalbfleisch the last three years. The Rigby, Idaho, resident shook off his loss to Kalbfleisch easily Saturday, smiling and talking up spectators. Gneiting said he was pleased with the turnout and enthusiasm from the crowd.

“People see me as an ambassador for the sport in the U.S.,” he said. “I’m proud of that.”