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The Grand Sumo Tournament

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

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Various rituals take place before and after every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

Traditionally before a match, 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, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.

Elite sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, with competitors who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is being held internationally only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event 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 seen a significant rise in popularity globally in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The match is decided once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Matches can conclude almost instantly or last over two minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi and use throwing techniques.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting against different styles.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.

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

While women do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, under a stable master.

Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

The average wrestler consumes between multiple servings per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

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

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated through their training house and governing body – making a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

Competitive standing determines earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Younger or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down in standing.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status in professional sumo.

The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

The sport includes 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently over years, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.

Top champions include international representatives, including wrestlers from various nations achieving high ranks.

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