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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

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

This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after each bout, emphasizing the traditional nature in sumo.

Customarily before a match, an opening is made in the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.

The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.

Professional sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training communally.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan 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 also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time such an event took place outside Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated he wanted to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has experienced substantial growth in international interest among international fans in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The basic rules of sumo are straightforward. The bout concludes when a rikishi is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.

Bouts might end almost instantly or continue over two minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in various techniques adjusting against different styles.

Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.

Size categories do not exist within sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of body measurements.

Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables known as heya, under a stable master.

Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating are documented.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage during matches. Although large, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and governing body – creating a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Junior less established wrestlers handle chores around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings.

Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the essence of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently over years, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.

Top champions feature global participants, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.

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