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 Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.
This physical contest involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily prior to competition, an opening is created at the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening gets sealed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away negative energies.
Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers who participate dedicate their entire lives to it – residing and practicing communally.
The London Location
This Major Sumo Event is being held internationally for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.
London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament was staged beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has seen substantial growth in popularity among international fans in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules of sumo are straightforward. The bout is decided when a rikishi is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.
Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.
Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents from the arena by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.
High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.
Size categories do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than body measurements.
While women can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, led by a head trainer.
Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. Early mornings for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and governing body – creating a unique lifestyle in professional sports.
Competitive standing determines earnings, living arrangements including support staff.
Junior or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive special privileges.
Sumo rankings are established by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing drop down the rankings.
Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list displaying all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the essence of sumo – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.
International competitors have been involved prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.
Current Yokozuna feature global participants, including wrestlers from various nations achieving high ranks.
In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland pursuing professional sumo careers.
