The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily before a match, a hole is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off negative energies.
Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate dedicate their entire lives to it – residing and practicing communally.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.
The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has seen a significant rise in international interest globally recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.
How Sumo Matches Work
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 the sole of his feet.
Bouts can conclude almost instantly or continue several minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove their opponents from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers often master multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.
There are dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.
Size categories do not exist in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than physical attributes.
While women do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from elite competitions including major venues.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, led by a head trainer.
Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.
Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate surprising agility, quick movements with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and governing body – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements including support staff.
Younger less established wrestlers perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined by results during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.
Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions within the sport.
The highest level exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.
Top champions feature global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.
In recent news, young international aspirants have journeyed to the homeland pursuing professional sumo careers.
