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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: 15-19 October

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining tradition, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies are performed both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.

Traditionally before a match, an opening is made in the center of the dohyo and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

This opening is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved commit completely to the sport – living and training in group settings.

The London Location

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

The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place outside Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has seen substantial growth in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The match concludes once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides the sole of his feet.

Matches might end almost instantly or last several minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles and can adapt 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 can occur during any match.

Weight classes do not exist in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of body measurements.

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

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train together in training stables known as heya, under a head trainer.

Everyday life of a rikishi centers completely on sumo. They rise early dedicated to training, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi consumes between multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.

Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence get controlled through their training house and the Sumo Association – making a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options and even personal assistants.

Younger or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.

Competitive standings are established by results during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records move up, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.

Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.

The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently over years, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.

Current Yokozuna feature international representatives, with competitors from various nations reaching elite status.

In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.