Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.
Various rituals take place before and after every match, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.
Customarily prior to competition, a hole is created at the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.
The hole is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away bad spirits.
Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing communally.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally only the second occasion, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.
The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has experienced substantial growth in popularity among international fans recently, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The match is decided once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.
Bouts might end almost instantly or continue over two minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.
High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.
Size categories do not exist within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups rather than physical attributes.
Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, led by a stable master.
Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.
Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated through their training house and the Sumo Association – making a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.
A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, accommodation options and even support staff.
Younger less established wrestlers handle chores in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.
Competitive standings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document displaying everyone's status in professional sumo.
At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels currently.
Current Yokozuna feature global participants, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have journeyed to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.
