🔗 Share this article

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: This Historic London Venue, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.

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

Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.

Customarily before a match, a hole is created in the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – the first time such an event took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

Sumo has experienced substantial growth in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or makes contact using anything besides the sole of his feet.

Matches might end almost instantly or last over two minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors out of the ring through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent employing judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting to their opponents.

Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.

Size categories are not used within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents instead of body measurements.

Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train together in training stables known as heya, led by a stable master.

Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a large meal the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

The average wrestler consumes between multiple servings per meal – 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 with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and governing body – making a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, living arrangements and even support staff.

Younger less established wrestlers handle chores around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Competitive standings get determined by results during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.

Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a traditional document showing everyone's status in professional sumo.

At the summit exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily from Japan.

International competitors have been involved prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.

Current Yokozuna feature global participants, with competitors from various nations reaching elite status.

Recently, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.