If you’ve found yourself here, you’re probably asking the big question. Good news—you’re in the right place. But to explain it, we’ve got to start from the beginning.
Half Sumo Collective was born from the brains (and bruises) of designer Luigi Scarcella Perino and Alberto Marchetti, two lifelong martial artists with resumes that could knock you out. Literally.
Luigi is a 3-time USA Kyokushin full-contact Karate champion who represented the USA at the World Tournament in Tokyo in 2019 and 2023. Alberto is a Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt professor who’s battled on the world stage in seven global tournaments.
For Jiu Jitsu practitioners, Half Sumo captures the soul of the art: a place where technique beats size, where David can take on Goliath—and submit him with a rear naked choke. It’s for anyone facing a challenge bigger than themselves and refusing to back down. Because let’s face it, the underdog is always more fun to root for.
Half Sumo Collective kicked off in late 2018 with a simple but bold statement: the Bushi Dogi Unbleached, a kimono so special only 100 pieces exist. Lu and Alb decided to ditch the mainstream and go for something cooler: limited-edition capsule drops, where every collection is a concept, a story, and yes—a collectible. When you grab something from Half Sumo, it’s more than gear. It’s a piece of the tribe.
When COVID hit, Lu and Alb realized something crucial: Jiu Jitsu isn’t just a sport—it’s a family business. Behind every academy is blood, sweat, tears, and a love for the art that keeps it all alive.
To help during those tough times, Luigi designed custom gear for over 100 academies worldwide—logos, rashguards, you name it. All profits went straight to the academies, raising hundreds of thousands of dollars and helping keep the Jiu Jitsu community rolling. From New York to Tokyo, Hong Kong to the Netherlands, Half Sumo stepped up when it mattered most.
Today, Half Sumo is still pushing forward, fueled by creativity, grit, and a good dose of chaos. 2024 is already cooking with big plans: a killer spinoff line with heavy metal legend Matthew “Kiichi” Heafy, fresh collabs, and designs that will keep you guessing.
At its core, Half Sumo stands for budo, the martial way. It’s not just about how hard you train or how many push-ups you can crank out. Budo is about passion. It’s about showing up every day and striving to be better—in martial arts, in life, and in the challenges you take on.
Half Sumo isn’t just a brand. It’s a small but mighty tribe of people who truly get what martial arts is all about.
So, welcome to the collective. Let’s roll.
