Why the Grand Sumo Tournament Takes Place in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. 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 features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Traditionally prior to competition, a hole is made at the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside divine presence. The rikishi subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away negative energies.
Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training in group settings.
The London Location
This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally only the second occasion, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event was staged outside Japan in sumo history.
Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
The sport has seen a significant rise in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The match concludes when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than the sole of his feet.
Matches might end in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.
High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles adjusting against different styles.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.
Weight classes do not exist in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than physical attributes.
While women can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, under a stable master.
Everyday life of a rikishi centers completely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented.
Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled through their training house and governing body – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking determines earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.
Junior or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.
Sumo rankings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend in standing.
Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a traditional document showing all wrestlers' positions within the sport.
At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.
Top champions include international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.
Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to Japan pursuing professional sumo careers.
