Why the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily prior to competition, a hole is made in the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
The hole is closed, enshrining inside divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp and clap to drive off bad spirits.
Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors involved commit completely to it – living and training in group settings.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed the intention to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has seen a significant rise in popularity among international fans in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The match concludes when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.
Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.
Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent and use throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting against different styles.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.
Weight classes do not exist in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups rather than body measurements.
While women can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, under a head trainer.
The daily routine of a rikishi centers completely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, quick movements with strong bursts.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
Competitive standing affects their payment, living arrangements and even personal assistants.
Younger or lower ranked rikishi handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined by results during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.
Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a traditional document displaying everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the essence of the sport – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most from Japan.
International competitors have been involved prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.
Top champions feature international representatives, including wrestlers from various nations achieving high ranks.
In recent news, young international aspirants have journeyed to Japan pursuing wrestling careers.
