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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Various rituals take place before and after each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.

Traditionally before a match, an opening is created at the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

The hole is closed, enshrining inside divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.

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

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally 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 previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event took place outside Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, sumo leadership expressed the intention to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has experienced substantial growth in popularity among international fans recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The bout concludes once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor using anything besides the sole of his feet.

Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.

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

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

There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.

Weight classes do not exist within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents rather than physical attributes.

Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, led by a stable master.

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight 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 by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing determines their payment, living arrangements including personal assistants.

Junior or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores in the stable, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Competitive standings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors advance, while those losing descend the rankings.

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

The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

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

International competitors have been involved prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.

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

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