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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: 15-19 October

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back over a millennium.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies take place before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

Customarily before a match, a hole is created at the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

The hole is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time such an event was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has seen a significant rise in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or last several minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.

There are dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.

Size categories do not exist in sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than physical attributes.

Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables called heya, under a stable master.

Everyday life of a rikishi centers completely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, followed by a large meal the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented.

Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Although large, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements and even personal assistants.

Younger or lower ranked rikishi perform duties in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.

Competitive standings get determined by results during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.

Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the essence of the sport – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.

Top champions include global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.