Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: 15-19 October
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Traditionally before a match, an opening is made at the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening gets sealed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.
Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate commit completely to it – residing and practicing communally.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.
The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time a tournament was staged beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to "convey with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
The sport has experienced a significant rise in international interest globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.
Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.
Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove their opponents from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent and use throwing techniques.
High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in various techniques adjusting to their opponents.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws strategic evasions. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.
Size categories do not exist in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than body measurements.
Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities known as heya, led by a stable master.
Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. Early mornings for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of massive eating are documented.
Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate 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 determines their payment, accommodation options and even support staff.
Younger less established wrestlers handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.
Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list displaying everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the essence of sumo – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.
International competitors have participated prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.
Current Yokozuna include international representatives, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks.
Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland pursuing professional sumo careers.
