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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices 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 before and after each bout, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.

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

The hole is closed, enshrining inside divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors involved commit completely to the sport – living and training communally.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion such an event took place outside Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed he wanted to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has seen a significant rise in popularity among international fans recently, with overseas events potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The bout concludes when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Matches might end in a fraction of a second or last several minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent and use throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.

Size categories are not used within sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents rather than physical attributes.

While women can participate in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Professional rikishi live and train together in training stables called heya, led by a head trainer.

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects their payment, accommodation options including support staff.

Younger less established wrestlers perform duties around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.

Sumo rankings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.

Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a traditional document showing all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.

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

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