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The Grand Sumo Tournament

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

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals dating back more than 1,000 years.

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

Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

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

This opening gets sealed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors involved commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing communally.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time a tournament took place outside Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has seen substantial growth in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The match concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.

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

There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove their opponents from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent employing throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.

Size categories do not exist within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups rather than body measurements.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they're excluded from elite competitions including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables called heya, under a stable master.

The daily routine for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking determines earnings, accommodation options including support staff.

Junior or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.

Sumo rankings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down in standing.

Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.

International competitors have been involved significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.

Current Yokozuna include international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.

In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to Japan pursuing professional sumo careers.