Jessica Hopper, Sumotori of the Month
Jessica Hopper, San Antonio veteran has now been on the Sumo scene for 7 years. In that time she has made a large impact on the sport, and is positioned to continue having a strong influence.
Hopper vs Chan 2020 Nationals
Hopper with Coach Tom Zabel
Her start to the sport was thanks to a demonstration, which sparked an excitement in her like so many others that witness the beauty and power that is Sumo. Like most people, she was hesitant to try the sport, not because she was daunted, rather because she felt the sport was not made for people like her. That is to say, people who are not giant Japanese men. Fortunately, she went to a practice at a well established club in San Antonio where she found out first hand that Sumo is made for everyone, including lightweight women such as herself. Though initially excited about the sport, after her fist practice she became hooked as she discovered that Sumo wasn’t just great to watch, nor was it simply a fantastic workout, it was also, as Jessica described it, “…challenging and fun..”. Two years of hard work paid off and found Jessica on the 2015 USA World Team, where she traveled to Japan and made lasting memories. Meeting Jessica you would never guess that she was once a shy refrained person as she now helps lead her clubs practices, offering support and advice for her teammates. She says, “Being a part of demonstrations and standing in front of large crowds talking to people and interacting with them has also helped me come out of my shell”. Watching Jessica compete, her passion and dedication for the sport is obvious! For those thinking Sumo looks awesome, Jessica has some reasons you should find a club and give it a try! First, self defense, Sumo is a martial art after all! She says, “ During training and wrestling, you really get a feel for how to control your own body and movements while noticing the slight changes in your posture and center of gravity. If anything were to ever happen, you have built up muscle memory to protect and defend yourself”. Second, Sumo is both competitive and friendly, something you rarely see. Jessica describes Sumo well, saying, “There aren't many sports that when you walk off the playing field, you hug it out and compliment each other and give advice on how to face those techniques in the future. The environment that has been built around this sport is inviting and encouraging, and for people just beginning, I know that makes a world of difference”. So try it, and you’ll be hooked like the rest of us! Congratulations Jessica on all of your success and we look forward to seeing what else you can do!
Hopper at 2020 Nationals against Ava Chan.