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The Grand Sumo Tournament

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

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

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

This physical contest involves two competitors – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.

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

Customarily prior to competition, an opening is made at the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to it – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed the intention to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has seen a significant rise in popularity globally recently, with overseas events potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules of sumo are straightforward. The bout is decided once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.

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

There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors out of the ring through strength, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent employing throwing techniques.

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

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.

Weight classes are not used in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. The ranking system decides opponents rather than physical attributes.

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

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, led by a head trainer.

Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. Early mornings for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi 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 with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements and even support staff.

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

Competitive standings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.

Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

At the summit exists the rank of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.

International competitors have participated prominently over years, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.

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

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