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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: This Historic London Venue, London. Schedule: 15-19 October

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – called rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.

Various rituals are performed before and after each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

Customarily prior to competition, an opening is made at the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ritual stamp and clap to scare away bad spirits.

Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training in group settings.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time a tournament took place beyond Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has experienced a significant rise in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The match is decided once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.

Bouts might end almost instantly or last several minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors from the arena by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi employing judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt against different styles.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results may happen during any match.

Size categories are not used in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups rather than body measurements.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities called heya, under a head trainer.

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early 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 multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage during matches. Although large, they possess surprising agility, quick movements and explosive power.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Younger or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings are established through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.

Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list displaying everyone's status within the sport.

At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.

Current Yokozuna include global participants, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.

In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.