Why the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Schedule: October 15th through 19th
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back over a millennium.
This combat sport involves two competitors – called 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 traditional nature of the sport.
Customarily before a match, a hole is made in the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.
Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate dedicate their entire lives to it – residing and practicing communally.
Why London?
This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally only the second occasion, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event took place outside Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has experienced substantial growth in popularity among international fans in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The match concludes once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.
Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.
Sumo features two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters typically shove competitors from the arena by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt to their opponents.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results can occur during any match.
Size categories do not exist within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, under a stable master.
Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking determines earnings, living arrangements and even support staff.
Younger less established wrestlers perform duties around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.
Competitive standings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.
Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily from Japan.
International competitors have been involved significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.
Current Yokozuna include global participants, including wrestlers from various nations achieving high ranks.
Recently, young international aspirants have journeyed to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.
