The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: October 15th through 19th
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after every match, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.
Traditionally before a match, an opening is created at the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ritual stamp and clap to scare away negative energies.
Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to it – living and training in group settings.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed he wanted to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has seen a significant rise in international interest globally recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout is decided when a rikishi gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides the sole of his feet.
Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent and use judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen during any match.
Size categories are not used within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of physical attributes.
While women do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables called heya, under a head trainer.
The daily routine of a rikishi centers completely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, followed by a large meal the traditional stew – 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 – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and governing body – creating a unique lifestyle in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, accommodation options and even support staff.
Junior or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing drop down the rankings.
Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance in recent times.
Current Yokozuna include international representatives, including wrestlers from various nations achieving high ranks.
Recently, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.
