Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: October 15th through 19th
Understanding Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.
This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Various rituals are performed both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily before a match, a hole is created in the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp and clap to drive off negative energies.
Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to the sport – living and training communally.
Why London?
This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament took place outside Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership stated the intention to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has experienced a significant rise in international interest among international fans recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules of sumo are straightforward. The match concludes once a wrestler 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 last several minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use throwing techniques.
High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques adjusting against different styles.
There are dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws strategic evasions. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur during any match.
Weight classes are not used in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from elite competitions including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities called heya, under a head trainer.
Everyday life of a rikishi centers completely on sumo. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated through their training house and governing body – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking determines their payment, accommodation options including support staff.
Younger less established wrestlers handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings get determined through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings.
Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.
At the summit exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.
Current Yokozuna feature international representatives, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan pursuing professional sumo careers.
