Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: 15-19 October
Understanding Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily prior to competition, a hole is made at the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off bad spirits.
Professional sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, with competitors who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing communally.
Why London?
This Major Sumo Event is taking place outside of Japan only the second occasion, as the tournament taking place in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has seen substantial growth in international interest globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The bout concludes when a rikishi gets pushed from the ring or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.
Matches can conclude almost instantly or last several minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.
Weight classes do not exist within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
While women can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi live and train together in training stables known as heya, under a stable master.
The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi consumes between multiple servings per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking determines their payment, living arrangements including personal assistants.
Junior or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.
Competitive standings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing drop down in standing.
Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list displaying everyone's status within the sport.
At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily from Japan.
International competitors have been involved significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.
Current Yokozuna feature international representatives, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.
In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.
