🔗 Share this article

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Location: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Dates: 15-19 October

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.

This physical contest involves two competitors – called rikishi – battling within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.

Customarily prior to competition, an opening is created in the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away bad spirits.

Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to the sport – living and training in group settings.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged outside Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to "convey with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has experienced substantial growth in international interest globally recently, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The match concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Matches might end almost instantly or last several minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent employing judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques adjusting against different styles.

There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.

Size categories do not exist in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups instead of body measurements.

While women can participate in non-professional sumo globally, they're excluded from elite competitions or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities known as heya, under a stable master.

Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate surprising agility, quick movements with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled through their training house and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing determines earnings, accommodation options and even support staff.

Younger less established wrestlers perform duties in the stable, while higher ranked competitors receive special privileges.

Sumo rankings are established through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings.

Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.

The highest level exists the rank of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most from Japan.

International competitors have been involved significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.

Top champions feature global participants, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks.

Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.