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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Schedule: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Various rituals take place before and after every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.

Traditionally prior to competition, a hole is created in the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away bad spirits.

Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training communally.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event took place outside Japan in the sport's history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership expressed the intention to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has seen a significant rise in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The bout is decided when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.

Bouts can conclude almost instantly or continue over two minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors out of the ring through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent employing judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques adjusting against different styles.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.

Size categories are not used within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than physical attributes.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities known as heya, led by a stable master.

Everyday life of a rikishi centers completely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects their payment, accommodation options including support staff.

Younger less established rikishi perform duties around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.

Competitive standings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down the rankings.

Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a traditional document displaying everyone's status within the sport.

At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.

Top champions feature international representatives, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.

Recently, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.