Why the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: 15-19 October
Understanding Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.
Traditional ceremonies are performed both preceding and following every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.
Traditionally prior to competition, a hole is made at the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening gets sealed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ritual stamp and clap to scare away bad spirits.
Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to the sport – living and training in group settings.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th 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 – a historic Japanese tradition".
Sumo has experienced a significant rise in international interest among international fans recently, with overseas events potentially enhancing the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The match concludes once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides the sole of his feet.
Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or last several minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent employing judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.
Size categories do not exist within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than physical attributes.
Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they're excluded from elite competitions or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables known as heya, led by a head trainer.
Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented.
Rikishi intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.
Competitive standing determines their payment, living arrangements and even personal assistants.
Junior or lower ranked rikishi handle chores in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a traditional document showing everyone's status in professional sumo.
The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.
International competitors have participated prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.
Current Yokozuna include international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.
In recent news, young international aspirants have journeyed to Japan seeking wrestling careers.
