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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: 15-19 October

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.

This physical contest involves two competitors – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Various rituals take place before and after every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

Customarily before a match, an opening is made at the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved commit completely to it – residing and practicing communally.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, as the tournament occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time such an event took place outside Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership stated he wanted to "convey with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has seen a significant rise in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The match concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.

Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent and use judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting against different styles.

There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.

Size categories are not used within sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings decides opponents instead of physical attributes.

Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities known as heya, led by a head trainer.

The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. 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 eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating are documented.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking determines their payment, accommodation options including support staff.

Younger or lower ranked rikishi perform duties in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.

Sumo rankings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings.

Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions 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.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately 600 rikishi in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.

International competitors have been involved prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Top champions feature international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.

In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland pursuing professional sumo careers.