About Half Sumo

Half Sumo Collective is an independent martial arts apparel brand born in New York and built by people who live the culture from the inside. Founded by designer Luigi Scarcella Perino and Alberto Marchetti, Half Sumo brings together technical fightwear, hand-drawn artwork, limited edition capsule drops, and a deep respect for the martial way.

The brand began in 2018 with the Bushi Dogi Unbleached, a limited-run Jiu-Jitsu kimono made in only 100 pieces. From the beginning, Half Sumo has taken a different path from mainstream combat sports clothing. Every collection is treated as a concept, a story, and a collectible piece of the brand's world. Whether it is a dogi, rashguard, grappling short, T-shirt, hoodie, bag, or accessory, each product is designed to carry meaning beyond the garment itself.

Half Sumo's roots are in martial arts. Luigi is a Kyokushin Karate black belt and three-time USA full-contact Karate champion who represented the United States at the World Tournament in Tokyo. Alberto is a Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu black belt professor with international competition experience. Around them is a wider community of Jiu-Jitsu black belts, MMA fighters, strikers, grapplers, artists, and people who understand that martial arts is more than fighting.

The visual identity of Half Sumo is bold, symbolic, and unmistakable. The artwork draws from Japanese woodblock prints, ukiyo-e composition, irezumi-inspired tattoo imagery, manga, graffiti, street art, and New York energy. That mix gives the brand its distinctive balance: technical martial arts gear with an art-led, collectible edge.

At its core, Half Sumo is made for the underdog. The name speaks to the spirit of Jiu-Jitsu itself: the idea that technique, discipline, timing, and heart can overcome size and force. It is a brand for people facing something bigger than themselves and refusing to back down.

Today, Half Sumo continues to create martial arts apparel for a global tribe. From New York to Tokyo, from local academies to international mats, the brand stands for creativity, grit, self-expression, and constant improvement. It is independent, enthusiastic, Budo-driven, and built for people who truly understand the meaning of martial arts.