🔗 Share this article

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Various rituals take place before and after every match, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.

Customarily before a match, an opening is made in the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

The hole is closed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing communally.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time a tournament was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated he wanted to "convey with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has experienced substantial growth in international interest globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout is decided once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.

Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or last several minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.

High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques adjusting to their opponents.

There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.

Size categories do not exist in sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system decides opponents rather than body measurements.

Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities known as heya, led by a stable master.

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and governing body – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

Competitive standing determines their payment, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Younger less established wrestlers perform duties around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.

Competitive standings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, while those losing drop down the rankings.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status in professional sumo.

The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most from Japan.

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

Top champions feature international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.