Why the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Schedule: 15-19 October
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.
Traditionally before a match, a hole is made in the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away bad spirits.
Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers who participate dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training in group settings.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.
London with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has seen a significant rise in international interest among international fans recently, 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 bout concludes when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.
Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.
Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent employing throwing techniques.
High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.
Size categories are not used in sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than physical attributes.
While women can participate in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, led by a head trainer.
Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, quick movements and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking determines their payment, living arrangements and even support staff.
Junior or lower ranked rikishi handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, while those losing drop down in standing.
Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a traditional document displaying everyone's status in professional sumo.
At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.
Top champions feature international representatives, including wrestlers from various nations achieving high ranks.
Recently, foreign prospects have journeyed to Japan seeking professional sumo careers.
