The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Schedule: 15-19 October
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices dating back over a millennium.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.
Various rituals take place before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.
Customarily prior to competition, a hole is created in the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away bad spirits.
Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament took place beyond Japan in sumo history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership expressed the intention to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has experienced a significant rise in popularity among international fans in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match concludes when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.
Matches might end in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.
Sumo features two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents from the arena by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent and use throwing techniques.
High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles and can adapt to their opponents.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from dramatic throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.
Weight classes do not exist within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents rather than physical attributes.
While women can participate in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, under a head trainer.
Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early dedicated to training, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate surprising agility, quick movements and explosive power.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and the Sumo Association – making a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.
Competitive standing determines earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.
Junior or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down the rankings.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list displaying all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most from Japan.
International competitors have been involved significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance in recent times.
Top champions feature international representatives, with competitors multiple countries achieving high ranks.
In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.
