🔗 Share this article

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Schedule: 15-19 October

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

Customarily prior to competition, an opening is created 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 with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors who participate commit completely to it – residing and practicing communally.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place outside Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

Sumo has seen substantial growth in international interest among international fans in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.

Matches can conclude almost instantly or continue over two minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.

High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.

Size categories do not exist within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of body measurements.

Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they're excluded from elite competitions or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

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

Everyday life of a rikishi centers completely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented.

Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and governing body – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.

A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, living arrangements and even personal assistants.

Junior less established wrestlers perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.

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

Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list displaying everyone's status within the sport.

The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

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

Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.

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

In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to Japan seeking wrestling careers.