🔗 Share this article The Reason the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London The Grand Sumo Tournament Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th Understanding Sumo Wrestling Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals dating back over a millennium. This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – competing within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across. Traditional ceremonies take place before and after each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects of the sport. Traditionally before a match, an opening is created in the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies. The hole is closed, enshrining inside divine presence. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits. Professional sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers who participate dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings. Why London? The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th. The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged outside Japan in sumo history. Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership stated the intention to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition". The sport has seen a significant rise in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan abroad. How Sumo Matches Work The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The bout is decided when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles. Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes. There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent and use judo-like throws. High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques and can adapt to their opponents. Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match. Size categories are not used in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents rather than body measurements. Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues. Life as a Sumo Wrestler Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities known as heya, led by a stable master. Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap. The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history. Wrestlers intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes and explosive power. Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and governing body – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions. Competitive standing determines earnings, living arrangements and even support staff. Junior or lower ranked rikishi handle chores around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment. Competitive standings are established by results during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend the rankings. Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status in professional sumo. The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition. Sumo Wrestlers Demographics There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily being Japanese. International competitors have been involved significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently. Top champions feature international representatives, with competitors from various nations reaching elite status. Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.