The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: October 15th through 19th
Understanding Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.
This physical contest involves two competitors – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Various rituals take place both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the traditional nature in sumo.
Customarily before a match, a hole is made at the center of the dohyo and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
This opening is closed, enshrining inside divine presence. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.
Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training in group settings.
The London Location
This Major Sumo Event is taking place outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
London with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
Sumo has experienced a significant rise in popularity globally in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The match is decided when a rikishi is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.
Bouts can conclude almost instantly or continue over two minutes.
Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt against different styles.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.
Weight classes are not used within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups rather than body measurements.
Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, under a head trainer.
Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Although large, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and governing body – creating a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.
A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, living arrangements including support staff.
Younger or lower ranked rikishi perform duties around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.
Competitive standings are established by results during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing descend the rankings.
Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions within the sport.
The highest level exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the essence of the sport – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily from Japan.
International competitors have participated prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.
Top champions include global participants, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have journeyed to Japan pursuing professional sumo careers.
