Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: This Historic London Venue, London. Schedule: October 15th through 19th
Understanding Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Various rituals are performed before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.
Customarily prior to competition, a hole is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening is closed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.
Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training communally.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament took place beyond Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to "convey with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
The sport has experienced substantial growth in popularity globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The match is decided when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.
Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers often master multiple combat styles and can adapt to their opponents.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.
Weight classes are not used within sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities called heya, under a head trainer.
Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.
Competitive standing affects their payment, accommodation options including personal assistants.
Junior less established wrestlers handle chores in the stable, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors advance, while those losing descend the rankings.
Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a traditional document displaying everyone's status in professional sumo.
The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions embody the essence of the sport – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, primarily from Japan.
International competitors have been involved prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.
Current Yokozuna feature international representatives, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.
In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.