The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Understanding Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.
Various rituals are performed before and after each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily before a match, a hole is created in the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole is closed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off bad spirits.
Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved commit completely to it – living and training communally.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.
London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament took place outside Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
The sport has seen substantial growth in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The match is decided when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.
Matches might end almost instantly or continue over two minutes.
Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent and use throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting against different styles.
There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.
Weight classes do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from elite competitions including major venues.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables called heya, led by a head trainer.
The daily routine for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Although large, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
A wrestler's ranking determines earnings, living arrangements including personal assistants.
Younger less established wrestlers handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.
Competitive standings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.
Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list displaying everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.
International competitors have been involved prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.
Current Yokozuna feature global participants, with competitors multiple countries achieving high ranks.
In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland pursuing professional sumo careers.