The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: This Historic London Venue, London. Dates: 15-19 October
Understanding Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects of the sport.
Traditionally before a match, a hole is made in the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.
The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ritual stamp and clap to drive off negative energies.
Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to it – living and training in group settings.
Why London?
This Major Sumo Event is taking place outside of Japan 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 – marking the initial occasion such an event took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
The sport has experienced substantial growth in international interest among international fans recently, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout concludes when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.
Matches can conclude almost instantly or last over two minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent employing judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt against different styles.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.
Size categories do not exist within sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of physical attributes.
While women can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they're excluded from elite competitions or the main arenas.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, under a stable master.
Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented.
Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.
Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options including support staff.
Younger or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.
Sumo rankings are established by results during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend the rankings.
Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status in professional sumo.
At the summit exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the essence of the sport – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.
Current Yokozuna include international representatives, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.
Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to Japan pursuing professional sumo careers.
