Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: October 15th through 19th
Understanding Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices dating back over a millennium.
This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Customarily before a match, a hole is made at the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off bad spirits.
Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training in group settings.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has experienced substantial growth in international interest globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout is decided once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than the sole of his feet.
Matches can conclude almost instantly or last over two minutes.
Sumo features two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters typically shove competitors out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi and use throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting to their opponents.
There are 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.
Weight classes do not exist in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups instead of body measurements.
Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, under a head trainer.
The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a unique lifestyle in professional sports.
Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements including personal assistants.
Younger less established rikishi perform duties in the stable, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings get determined through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend the rankings.
Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a traditional document displaying everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of the sport – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately 600 rikishi in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.
Current Yokozuna feature international representatives, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.
Recently, foreign prospects have journeyed to Japan seeking professional sumo careers.
