The Reason the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Traditional ceremonies are performed both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily before a match, an opening is created in the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
This opening is closed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off bad spirits.
Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has experienced a significant rise in international interest globally in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The match concludes once a wrestler gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.
Matches might end almost instantly or continue over two minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors from the arena by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent employing throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques adjusting to their opponents.
There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur during any match.
Weight classes do not exist within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than physical attributes.
While women do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, led by a head trainer.
The daily routine for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi consumes between multiple servings each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented.
Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage during matches. Although large, they demonstrate surprising agility, quick movements with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated through their training house and governing body – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, living arrangements including support staff.
Junior less established wrestlers handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down in standing.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list displaying all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.
International competitors have been involved prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.
Top champions feature global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.
Recently, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.
