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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies are performed both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

Customarily prior to competition, an opening is created in the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off negative energies.

Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event was staged beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated he wanted to "convey with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has seen a significant rise in international interest globally recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes when a rikishi is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.

Matches can conclude almost instantly or last over two minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents out of the ring through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent employing judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.

There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.

Size categories are not used within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than body measurements.

While women do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities called heya, led by a head trainer.

The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.

Competitive standing determines their payment, accommodation options including support staff.

Younger or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.

Competitive standings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status in professional sumo.

At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most being Japanese.

International competitors have been involved prominently 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 seeking wrestling careers.