🔗 Share this article

The Grand Sumo Tournament

Venue: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.

This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies are performed both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.

Traditionally prior to competition, a hole is made in the center of the dohyo and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away bad spirits.

Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate commit completely to the sport – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership stated he wanted to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has experienced a significant rise in international interest among international fans recently, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.

Bouts can conclude almost instantly or continue several minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters typically shove their opponents from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in various techniques adjusting to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.

Weight classes do not exist within sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than physical attributes.

Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, led by a stable master.

Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing determines earnings, accommodation options and even personal assistants.

Younger less established wrestlers handle chores in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.

Competitive standings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend the rankings.

Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status in professional sumo.

At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.

Current Yokozuna feature global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.

In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.