🔗 Share this article

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: This Historic London Venue, London. Schedule: 15-19 October

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – called rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies take place before and after every match, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

Customarily prior to competition, a hole is made in the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to it – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is being held internationally for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – the first time such an event was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has seen substantial growth in popularity globally recently, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout is decided once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than the sole of his feet.

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

There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors out of the ring through strength, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi and use throwing techniques.

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

Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety 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 with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of physical attributes.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities known as heya, led by a head trainer.

The daily routine of a rikishi centers completely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, followed by a large meal the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi consumes between multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

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

Competitive standing determines their payment, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Younger less established rikishi perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings are established through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend in standing.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a traditional document showing all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.

The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.

Current Yokozuna include global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.

Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.