Why the Grand Sumo Tournament Takes Place in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: This Historic London Venue, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Understanding Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining tradition, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Traditional ceremonies are performed both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily before a match, a hole is created in the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away negative energies.
Professional sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to it – living and training in group settings.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.
The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged outside Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".
Sumo has seen a significant rise in international interest globally in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides the sole of his feet.
Bouts can conclude almost instantly or last 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 the other rikishi employing judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting to their opponents.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets 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 instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, under a head trainer.
Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early dedicated to training, followed by a large meal the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented.
Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate surprising agility, quick movements and explosive power.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled through their training house and governing body – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
Competitive standing determines their payment, accommodation options including personal assistants.
Younger or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings get determined through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.
Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily from Japan.
International competitors have participated significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.
Top champions feature international representatives, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.
Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland pursuing professional sumo careers.
