🔗 Share this article

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Location: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Schedule: 15-19 October

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – called rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Various rituals take place both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.

Customarily before a match, a hole is made at the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing communally.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated the intention to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has seen a significant rise in international interest globally in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides the sole of his feet.

Matches might end almost instantly or last several minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove competitors from the arena by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent and use judo-like throws.

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

Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws strategic evasions. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.

Size categories do not exist in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than body measurements.

Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Professional rikishi live and train together in training stables called heya, led by a head trainer.

Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a large meal the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – 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, quick movements and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and governing body – making a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking determines their payment, accommodation options and even personal assistants.

Younger less established wrestlers perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.

Sumo rankings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors advance, while those losing descend in standing.

Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.

International competitors have been involved significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.

Top champions include global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.

Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.