Why the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: This Historic London Venue, London. Schedule: 15-19 October
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back more than 1,000 years.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – called rikishi – competing within a circular arena – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.
Traditionally before a match, an opening is created in the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
This opening is closed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.
Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.
The London Location
This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.
The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event was staged beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has experienced substantial growth in popularity among international fans recently, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The bout is decided when a rikishi gets pushed from the ring or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.
Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents out of the ring through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.
High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques and can adapt against different styles.
There are dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.
Weight classes are not used in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of body measurements.
Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, led by a stable master.
The daily routine for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate surprising agility, quick movements and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and governing body – creating a unique lifestyle in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, accommodation options and even support staff.
Younger less established rikishi handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings get determined through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing descend the rankings.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels currently.
Current Yokozuna include global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.
In recent news, young international aspirants have journeyed to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.
