Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Schedule: 15-19 October
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.
This physical contest involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.
Various rituals are performed before and after each bout, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Traditionally before a match, a hole is created at the center of the dohyo and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
The hole is closed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.
Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.
London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion such an event took place beyond Japan in sumo history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to "convey with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has experienced a significant rise in international interest among international fans recently, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The match is decided once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.
Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi employing judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt to their opponents.
There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.
Size categories are not used within sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups rather than physical attributes.
While women do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, led by a stable master.
The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.
Competitive standing determines earnings, accommodation options including support staff.
Junior or lower ranked rikishi handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive special privileges.
Sumo rankings are established through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records move up, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.
Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a traditional document showing all wrestlers' positions within the sport.
At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most from Japan.
International competitors have participated significantly over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.
Top champions include global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.
Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to Japan pursuing professional sumo careers.
