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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: October 15th through 19th

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Various rituals are performed both preceding and following every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.

Customarily prior to competition, a hole is created in the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening is closed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away negative energies.

Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training communally.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion such an event took place outside Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

Sumo has seen a significant rise in international interest globally recently, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules of sumo are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Matches can conclude almost instantly or continue over two minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen during any match.

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

Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, led by a stable master.

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a large meal the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi consumes between multiple servings per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking 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 through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down in standing.

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

The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of the sport – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance in recent times.

Top champions include international representatives, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.

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