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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.

This physical contest involves two competitors – called rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Various rituals are performed both preceding and following every match, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

Customarily before a match, a hole is made in the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

The hole gets sealed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off bad spirits.

Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally only the second occasion, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has seen a significant rise in popularity globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The match is decided once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.

Bouts might end almost instantly or continue several minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent and use throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.

Size categories do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than body measurements.

While women can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

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

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements including support staff.

Younger less established wrestlers perform duties in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Competitive standings are established by results during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, while those losing descend in standing.

Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.

At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the essence of the sport – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.

International competitors have participated significantly over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Current Yokozuna feature global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

Recently, young international aspirants have journeyed to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.