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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Location: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Schedule: 15-19 October

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

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

Traditionally before a match, an opening is made at the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

The hole is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

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

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to "convey with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has seen substantial growth in popularity among international fans in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The bout is decided when a rikishi gets pushed from the ring or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.

Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors out of the ring through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.

Size categories are not used within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of body measurements.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities called heya, led by a stable master.

The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – with rest periods.

The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented.

Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects their payment, accommodation options and even personal assistants.

Junior or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties in the stable, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings are established by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing descend in standing.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document displaying everyone's status in professional sumo.

The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance in recent times.

Top champions feature global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.

Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.