The Los Angeles Fitness Expo

FitExpo Sumo Grand Prix Premieres at
the 2009 Profight Supplements Los Angeles Fitness Expo™, January 24-25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center

(Los Angeles, Calif…December 31, 2008) The inaugural FitExpo Sumo Grand Prix, an international sumo tournament, will take to the stage at southern California’s largest fitness event, TheProFight Supplements Los Angeles Fitness Expo™ presented by Gaspari Nutrition and Bodybuilding.com, Saturday and Sunday, January 24-25 at the Los Angeles Convention Center, 1201 South Figueroa Street, South Halls G & H. Hosted by the United States Sumo Foundation, world-class competitors will prove their worth as warriors in a sport that claims its origins in Japan over 1500 years ago.

“We’re honored to be working with the United States Sumo Federation in launching the FitExpo Sumo Grand Prix,” said The ProFight Supplements Los Angeles Fitness Expo Executive Director, Erin Ferries. “As one of the oldest and most revered sports in the world, sumo competition will bring an international flavor and historical significance to our sixth annual Expo.”

Troy Collins, President and Trustee of The United States Sumo Federation, said, “We’re very pleased to participate in The ProFight Supplements Los Angeles Fitness Expo. “We look forward to bringing an exciting competition that will give attendees a sense of the mastery and strength of this ancient sport that’s as popular today as when it began.”

Stiliyan Georgiev - Lightweight on the 2004 and 2005 World Sumo Championships silver medal team; lightweight silver medalist at the 2007 and 2008 World Sumo Championships.

Petar Stoyanov - heavyweight National and European champion in 2007 and 2008; the 2008 World Sumo Championships silver medalist.

Alex Czerwinski - heavyweight gold medalist in the 2000 World Sumo Championships team competition.

Byambajav Ulambayar - heavyweight World Champion 2006 and 2007 and the bronze medalist at the 2008 World Sumo Championships.

Trent Sabo - lightweight bronze medalist at the 2008 World Sumo Championships, five time National Champion

Kena Heffernan - middleweight National Champion 1999 and 2008, silver medalist in the World Sumo Championships team competition 1994 and 1998 and bronze medalist in 1995, 1997 and 1999.

From the United States, top Sumo champion Emmanuel Yarborough will make an appearance at this years expo. He was the heavyweight World Champion in 1995, open weight silver medalist at the 1994 and 1996 World Sumo Championships and bronze medalist in the 1993 World Sumo Championships. The Guinness Book of World Records lists Yarborough as the World Largest Athlete at 6' 8" and 750 pounds.

Expo attendees will also cheer on competitors participating in returning contests including The Iron Man Pro XX, All American Strongman Challenge, The Scot Mendelson Pro Bench Press Classic, The Gracie US Nationals and USPF American Cup Powerlifting. The Gladiator Challenge will offer a great card of MMA bouts as well.

The ProFight Supplements Los Angeles Fitness Expo offers something for everyBODY! Attendees will find over 250 exhibits offering the newest in fitness, diet, nutrition, strength and wellness products and services. During both days of the Expo, many leading fitness professionals will be presenting educational seminars and demonstrations on subjects such as proper nutrition and dieting, exercise philosophies, making health and fitness your business and many more.

Adultadmission tickets are $15 per day or $20 for the full weekend, children 12 years and under are $5 per day and children under six are free. Show hours are Saturday, 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM and Sunday, 10 AM – 5 PM. Plenty of parking is available. For more information on ticketing, exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities call (818) 545-0290 or visit www.thefitexpo.com