Why the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: 15-19 October
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.
Various rituals take place both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.
Customarily before a match, an opening is created at the center of the dohyo and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening is closed, enshrining inside divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.
Elite sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to it – living and training communally.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion such an event took place outside Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership expressed he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
Sumo has experienced substantial growth in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules of sumo are straightforward. The match concludes once a wrestler is forced out from the ring 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 main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent employing judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.
Weight classes do not exist in sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups rather than physical attributes.
Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, led by a stable master.
Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi 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. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and governing body – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
A wrestler's ranking determines their payment, accommodation options including support staff.
Younger less established wrestlers perform duties in the stable, while higher ranked competitors receive special privileges.
Competitive standings get determined by results during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend in standing.
Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly over years, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.
Current Yokozuna include international representatives, with competitors from various nations reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.
