Supporting the Health of Professional Sumo Wrestlers Through Research
A pilot study examining disordered sleep and performance in elite sumo wrestlers, supported through community funding.
What Is This Proposal?
This project is a pilot study examining disordered sleep and its impact on performance, recovery, and quality of life in professional sumo wrestlers.
The research is being developed in collaboration with a top sports science in Japan and is intended as the foundation for a larger body of physiotherapy, sport medicine, and sport performance work (code name: The Tawada Project) focused on athlete health and well‑being in professional sumo
This page exists to share the purpose behind the project and to invite private support to help make the research possible.
Why Am I Doing This?
I’m convinced I’m meant to be here doing this research and didn’t end up here by accident.
As a teenager training in martial arts, I sustained a career‑changing ACL injury that forced me to step away from something that meant everything to me. That experience — and the physical therapists who helped me through it from near and far— shaped the path I’ve taken ever since.
I became a physical therapist because I never wanted others to lose their sense of purpose as an athlete the way I did. This research is an extension of that same motivation: to protect martial athletes, support their health, and help them continue doing what they love for as long as possible.
Why Sumo? / My Sumo Inspiration Story
Over the past 3 years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting these unique athletes whose dedication, discipline, and sacrifice for what they love are second to none. These men give their everything to the sport, art, and discipline and they pay for their sacrifices dearly with short and long term physical, mental, and health consequences in exchange for a life most modern age people will never understand. As a result of being athletically unique, poorly understood, and culturally distinct, many aspects of their health — including sleep — remain completely unstudied.
This research is my way of giving back to professional martial artists that have given me so much, and of contributing something meaningful to the future of these athletes, all through the lens and skillset of sports medicine, physiotherapy and exercise that I was gifted with.
How You Can Help (What These Funds Support)
This project is being privately crowdfunded to ensure it can be conducted without unnecessary compromise. Your sponsorship and contribution helps get this done quickly, free from countless rounds of academic grants, and conflicts of interest. All funding sources will be 100% disclosed - the way research SHOULD BE.
Your support helps cover:
Research preparation and ethics approval costs
Data collection and participant engagement
Translation and transcription support
Analysis, writing, and publication expenses
Travel and logistical costs related to conducting research in Japan
Every contribution — regardless of size — directly supports the execution and completion of this study.
See where you donation goes here
How to Sponsor our Research
Supporting the project is simple.
You’ll find a secure donation link here, along with funding tiers for those who wish to contribute at a higher level. As a small thank‑you, all supporters will be acknowledged in the final published study.
If you’re unable to donate, sharing this page with others who may be interested is also a meaningful way to help.
What This Enables in the Future
This study is just the beginning.
The goal is to use this pilot research as a foundation for:
Larger‑scale studies on injury rehab, physiotherapy, and sports medicine in professional sumo
Evidence‑based recommendations that can improve quality of life for athletes during and after their athletic career.
Continued collaboration between clinicians, researchers, and unique sporting communities around the world
Your support helps build something that extends far beyond a single project. More from the Tawada Project is coming soon. Stay tuned!
Show your Support
Your sponsorship means the world to me and these amazing athletes
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes — the proposal is being supported as part of Mike’s PhD in Sports Medicine.
This project has been independently developed by a researcher who is scheduled to begin graduate studies at Waseda University in September 2026 and intends to further advance this research through future academic work.
This project is an independent initiative conducted by the investigator and is not funded, endorsed, administered, or officially affiliated with Waseda University or the prospective laboratory.
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Sleep plays a critical role in recovery, performance, injury risk, and long‑term health — yet it remains under‑researched in many unique athlete cohorts, including professional Sumo.
I have seen first hand through my time and efforts in Japan how much sleep can impact the lives of pro sumo wrestlers. It's so deeply embedded in their sport that optimizing that process is not just due diligence, it's become intellectual curiosity for. the question “How good CAN these athletes become if we optimize ALL elements of their physical health?”
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All funds raised will still be used to support the research effort to the fullest extent possible.
I am committed to private funding the balance of this project if the funding goal is not met. It's not about me, or my PhD, it's about giving back to these athletes who need it more than anything. -
Yes. Supporters will receive periodic updates as the project progresses. More news on this soon.
For now, subscribe to our mailing list so you don’t miss updates!
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Respecting the broad geographical distribution of my professional network to this point in my career, and the existing friction and inefficiency in sending international payments for some countries, I have enabled BTC donations as an option for sponsors who would like to contribute to the cause!
Learn more about contributing in Bitcoin here
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I'm working on this, but don't have all the answers right now. Given the broad possible localities of supporters from my network, I can’t speak to everyone’s situation, so check with your tax professional.
My lawyer has told me to say: “At this stage, donations are considered private support and may not be tax‑deductible.“
Contributors can receive a receipt for your donation if you like!