Why the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: 15-19 October
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Various rituals are performed before and after each bout, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Traditionally before a match, an opening is made in the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening is closed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away negative energies.
Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.
Why London?
This Major Sumo Event is being held internationally for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.
London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time a tournament was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
The sport has experienced substantial growth in international interest among international fans recently, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match is decided when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.
Matches might end in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt against different styles.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen during any match.
Size categories do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of body measurements.
While women can participate in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables called heya, under a stable master.
Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.
The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating are documented.
Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they possess surprising agility, quick movements with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled through their training house and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
Competitive standing affects their payment, living arrangements and even personal assistants.
Junior or lower ranked rikishi perform duties in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.
Sumo rankings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.
Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document displaying everyone's status within the sport.
At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
There are approximately 600 rikishi in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.
International competitors have participated prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance in recent times.
Top champions include global participants, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks.
In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.
