🔗 Share this article

The Grand Sumo Tournament

Venue: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Dates: 15-19 October

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, rigorous training 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 – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Various rituals are performed both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.

Traditionally prior to competition, an opening is created in the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.

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

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is taking place outside of Japan only the second occasion, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged outside Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has experienced a significant rise in popularity among international fans recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The match concludes when a rikishi gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.

Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent employing throwing techniques.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in various techniques adjusting to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.

Size categories are not used in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of body measurements.

While women do compete in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train 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, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.

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

Younger or lower ranked rikishi perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive special privileges.

Competitive standings get determined by results during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing descend in standing.

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

At the summit exists the rank of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. These champions embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately 600 rikishi in professional sumo, primarily from Japan.

International competitors have participated prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.

Current Yokozuna include global participants, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks.

In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan seeking professional sumo careers.