The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Understanding 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 – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Various rituals take place both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.
Customarily before a match, a hole is made at the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.
Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to the sport – living and training communally.
Why London?
This Major Sumo Event is being held internationally for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.
The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged outside Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has experienced substantial growth in international interest globally recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout is decided when a rikishi gets pushed from the ring or makes contact with anything other than the sole of his feet.
Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.
Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi employing judo-like throws.
High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.
Size categories are not used within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, led by a stable master.
The daily routine of a rikishi centers completely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.
The average wrestler consumes between multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented.
Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage during matches. Although large, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.
Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and governing body – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking determines earnings, living arrangements including personal assistants.
Junior less established wrestlers handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.
Sumo rankings are established through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, while those losing drop down in standing.
Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document showing everyone's status in professional sumo.
At the summit exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the spirit of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.
International competitors have participated significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.
Current Yokozuna include global participants, with competitors from various nations reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.
