The Reason the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back over a millennium.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies take place before and after every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.

Traditionally before a match, an opening is made in the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

The hole gets sealed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.

Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training in group settings.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is being held internationally only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated the intention to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has experienced a significant rise in popularity globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes when a rikishi is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Matches might end in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors from the arena by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt against different styles.

There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from dramatic throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.

Weight classes do not exist within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of body measurements.

Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities called heya, under a stable master.

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.

The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled through their training house and governing body – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements and even support staff.

Junior less established wrestlers perform duties around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings get determined by results during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing descend in standing.

Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status in professional sumo.

At the summit exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Current Yokozuna include global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to Japan seeking wrestling careers.