The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: 15-19 October
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.
Various rituals take place both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Traditionally before a match, a hole is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening is closed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.
Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.
The London Location
This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.
The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has seen a significant rise in popularity among international fans recently, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.
Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing judo-like throws.
High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.
There are 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.
Size categories are not used in sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups instead of physical attributes.
While women do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities known as heya, under a stable master.
The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of massive eating are documented.
Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Although large, they possess surprising agility, quick movements and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.
Competitive standing affects their payment, living arrangements including support staff.
Junior or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings get determined by results during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list displaying all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.
Top champions include global participants, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have journeyed to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.
