This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.
This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Various rituals take place before and after every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Customarily before a match, a hole is created in the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to scare away negative energies.
Elite sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, with competitors who participate commit completely to it – residing and practicing communally.
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has seen substantial growth in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.
The basic rules of sumo are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides the sole of his feet.
Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent employing judo-like throws.
High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in various techniques adjusting to their opponents.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.
Size categories are not used in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.
Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, under a stable master.
The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – with rest periods.
The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a unique lifestyle in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking determines their payment, living arrangements including support staff.
Junior or lower ranked rikishi handle chores in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.
Competitive standings are established by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.
Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a traditional document showing everyone's status within the sport.
At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the essence of the sport – transcending winning.
There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.
Top champions feature global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.
Recently, foreign prospects have journeyed to Japan seeking professional sumo careers.
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