🔗 Share this article

The Grand Sumo Tournament

Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals dating back over a millennium.

This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies are performed both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.

Customarily prior to competition, a hole is created at the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away negative energies.

Professional sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, with competitors who participate dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to "convey with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has seen substantial growth in international interest globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The match concludes when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.

Matches might end almost instantly or last several minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors from the arena by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent employing judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers often master multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.

There are dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.

Size categories are not used within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than body measurements.

While women can participate in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities known as heya, led by a head trainer.

Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

Competitive standing affects 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. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a traditional document displaying everyone's status in professional sumo.

At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.

Top champions feature global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

Recently, foreign prospects have journeyed to Japan seeking wrestling careers.