Why the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Venue: This Historic London Venue, London. Schedule: 15-19 October
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.
Various rituals are performed before and after each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Traditionally prior to competition, an opening is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.
Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.
The London Location
This Major Sumo Event is being held internationally for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.
The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership stated the intention to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has experienced a significant rise in popularity among international fans in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The match concludes once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides the sole of his feet.
Matches might end almost instantly or continue over two minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing judo-like throws.
High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques adjusting to their opponents.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.
Size categories are not used within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents rather than physical attributes.
While women can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, led by a head trainer.
Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming 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 – with notable instances of massive eating are documented.
Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
Competitive standing affects their payment, accommodation options including personal assistants.
Younger less established rikishi perform duties around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.
Sumo rankings are established by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing descend in standing.
Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a traditional document displaying everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most from Japan.
International competitors have participated significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.
Current Yokozuna feature global participants, with competitors from various nations reaching elite status.
In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to Japan pursuing wrestling careers.
