Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Understanding Sumo Wrestling
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices dating back over a millennium.
This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily before a match, an opening is created in the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole is closed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.
Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to it – residing and practicing in group settings.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan only the second occasion, as the tournament occurring 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 was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, sumo leadership expressed he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has experienced substantial growth in popularity among international fans recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.
Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent and use judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting against different styles.
There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen during any match.
Size categories are not used within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of physical attributes.
While women can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Sumo wrestlers 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 the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.
Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and governing body – making a unique lifestyle in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, living arrangements and even personal assistants.
Younger or lower ranked rikishi perform duties in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.
Sumo rankings are established by results during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.
Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.
At the summit exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance in recent times.
Top champions include international representatives, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.
In recent news, young international aspirants have journeyed to Japan pursuing wrestling careers.