Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Schedule: 15-19 October
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily prior to competition, an opening is made in the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.
This opening gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off negative energies.
Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to it – living and training in group settings.
The London Location
This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, sumo leadership expressed the intention to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has experienced a significant rise in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout concludes once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or makes contact using anything besides the sole of his feet.
Matches might end in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.
Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove their opponents out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent employing throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting against different styles.
There are 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.
Weight classes are not used in sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi live and train together in training stables known as heya, led by a stable master.
Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, followed by a large meal the traditional stew – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi consumes between multiple servings per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented.
Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.
Competitive standing determines their payment, living arrangements including personal assistants.
Junior or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings are established by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.
Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.
At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions embody the spirit of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most from Japan.
International competitors have been involved significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels currently.
Top champions feature global participants, with competitors multiple countries achieving high ranks.
In recent news, young international aspirants have journeyed to Japan pursuing professional sumo careers.
