The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back over a millennium.
This physical contest involves two competitors – called rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.
Various rituals take place before and after every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Traditionally prior to competition, an opening is created in the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.
The hole is closed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.
Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to the sport – living and training communally.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place outside Japan in the sport's history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
The sport has experienced substantial growth in popularity globally in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match concludes when a rikishi is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.
Bouts can conclude almost instantly or last over two minutes.
Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors from the arena by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent and use judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt against different styles.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.
Weight classes do not exist in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi live and train together in training stables called heya, led by a head trainer.
Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented.
Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.
Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options and even support staff.
Junior or lower ranked rikishi perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing drop down the rankings.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the spirit of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
There are approximately 600 rikishi in professional sumo, primarily from Japan.
International competitors have participated prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.
Top champions feature global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.
In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to Japan pursuing wrestling careers.
