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The Grand Sumo Tournament

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

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Various rituals take place before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

Traditionally before a match, a hole is created at the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers 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?

This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place outside Japan in the sport's history.

Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has seen a significant rise in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

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

Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.

Weight classes do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of physical attributes.

Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables known as heya, led by a head trainer.

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, followed by a large meal the traditional stew – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and the Sumo Association – creating a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, accommodation options and even support staff.

Junior or lower ranked rikishi handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.

Sumo rankings are established by results during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a traditional document showing all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly over years, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.

Current Yokozuna include international representatives, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.

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