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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: 15-19 October

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals dating back more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.

Traditionally prior to competition, a hole is created in the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

The hole gets sealed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp and clap to drive off bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training in group settings.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

London with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time such an event took place beyond Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated the intention to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has seen a significant rise in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.

Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents from the arena by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent and use throwing techniques.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in various techniques adjusting to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results may happen during any match.

Weight classes do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. The ranking system decides opponents rather than body measurements.

While women can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they're excluded from elite competitions or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, led by a stable master.

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Although large, they possess surprising agility, quick movements and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing determines their payment, living arrangements including support staff.

Younger or lower ranked rikishi perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing descend in standing.

Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a traditional document showing everyone's status in professional sumo.

At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.

Current Yokozuna feature international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan pursuing wrestling careers.