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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back more than 1,000 years.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies take place before and after each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

Customarily before a match, an opening is created at the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ritual stamp and clap to drive off negative energies.

Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

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

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.

Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has experienced a significant rise in international interest globally recently, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The match is decided once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or makes contact with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Bouts might end almost instantly or continue over two minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.

Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.

Weight classes are not used within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than body measurements.

While women do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables called heya, led by a head trainer.

Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler consumes between multiple servings each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.

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

Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements and even personal assistants.

Junior less established rikishi perform duties around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status in professional sumo.

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

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.

International competitors have participated significantly over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Current Yokozuna feature global participants, including wrestlers from various nations achieving high ranks.

In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan pursuing wrestling careers.