Level 3 — Master Coach (Shisho, 師匠)
Master Coach is the third of British Sumo's three coaching levels. Certification is run by British Sumo, not by EnglandSumo; EnglandSumo encourages and supports coaches in England — see sumo coaching levels for the full three-level framework.
A master coach develops the next generation of coaches: overseeing the training and certification of Lead Coaches, refining curricula, and safeguarding standards across UK sumo.
Last updated: 2026-09-22.
Key responsibilities
- Oversee the training, certification, and development of Lead Coaches (Level 2).
- Develop coaching curricula that integrate traditional sumo with modern training methodologies.
- Run workshops and certification courses, and monitor coaching standards across the UK.
- Link the coaching community with governing bodies, including the International Sumo Federation, and advocate for athlete welfare.
Typical requirements
- Advanced internal training and assessment for Master Coaches.
- Extensive experience as a Lead Coach (Level 2) with a proven high-level record.
- UK Coaching High-Performance Coaching qualification (recommended) or equivalent elite development experience.
- Safeguarding and Welfare Officer training, plus the ability to design and deliver training for other coaches.
How Master Coach is approved
Like every level, Master Coach certification is approved by the British Sumo board via the EnglandSumo board: an existing coach or EnglandSumo official proposes you to the EnglandSumo executive, and EnglandSumo adds an agenda item to the next British Sumo board meeting. Once approved, you convert to an EnglandSumo coaching membership.