Why the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: 15-19 October
Understanding Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back over a millennium.
This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.
Various rituals take place before and after each bout, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Customarily prior to competition, an opening is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.
This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away bad spirits.
Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing communally.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th 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.
Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to "convey with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has seen substantial growth in international interest globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The match concludes once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.
Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.
Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors out of the ring through strength, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi employing judo-like throws.
High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt against different styles.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur during any match.
Size categories are not used within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups rather than physical attributes.
While women do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables known as heya, led by a stable master.
The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption 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 get controlled through their training house and the Sumo Association – creating a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.
Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.
Younger or lower ranked rikishi perform duties in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.
Sumo rankings get determined by results during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing drop down the rankings.
Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
The highest level exists the rank of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the essence of sumo – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.
Current Yokozuna feature global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.
Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to Japan seeking wrestling careers.
