🔗 Share this article

The Grand Sumo Tournament

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

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals dating back more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – battling within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies take place before and after every match, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

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

This opening is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.

Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to it – residing and practicing communally.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated he wanted to "convey with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

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

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes when a rikishi gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides the sole of his feet.

Matches can conclude almost instantly or continue over two minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.

There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.

Size categories are not used in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings determine matchups rather than physical attributes.

While women can participate in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables known as heya, under a head trainer.

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they demonstrate surprising agility, quick movements and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated through their training house and governing body – creating a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

Competitive standing determines earnings, living arrangements including personal assistants.

Younger or lower ranked rikishi handle chores in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings get determined by results during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, while those losing drop down in standing.

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

The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the essence of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.

International competitors have participated significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Current Yokozuna include international representatives, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks.

In recent news, young international aspirants have journeyed to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.