The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after every match, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.
Customarily prior to competition, an opening is made at the center of the dohyo and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp and clap to drive off negative energies.
Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to it – living and training in group settings.
The London Location
This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place outside Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership stated the intention to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".
Sumo has experienced a significant rise in international interest among international fans recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The bout is decided once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.
Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors out of the ring through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent and use throwing techniques.
High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles adjusting against different styles.
There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.
Weight classes do not exist in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, led by a head trainer.
The daily routine for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Rikishi intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage during matches. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
Competitive standing determines their payment, living arrangements including support staff.
Younger or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores in the stable, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings are established by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend in standing.
Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.
At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.
International competitors have participated prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.
Current Yokozuna feature international representatives, with competitors from various nations reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan seeking professional sumo careers.
