The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: 15-19 October
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Various rituals take place before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.
Customarily before a match, a hole is made at the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.
The hole gets sealed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to scare away negative energies.
Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers who participate dedicate their entire lives to it – residing and practicing in group settings.
The London Location
This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has seen substantial growth in international interest globally in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The bout is decided once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.
Matches can conclude almost instantly or last several minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting against different styles.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results can occur during any match.
Size categories are not used within sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than body measurements.
While women can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities called heya, led by a stable master.
The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Although large, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.
Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements including support staff.
Younger less established wrestlers perform duties in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.
Competitive standings are established by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.
Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.
Top champions include global participants, with competitors multiple countries achieving high ranks.
In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.
