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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: 15-19 October

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.

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

The hole is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training in group settings.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament took place outside Japan in sumo history.

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

Sumo has seen substantial growth in international interest globally in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The match is decided when a rikishi is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.

Bouts can conclude almost instantly or last over two minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent employing judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt against different styles.

Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.

Size categories do not exist in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of body measurements.

While women do compete in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, under a stable master.

The daily routine for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and governing body – making a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, living arrangements including support staff.

Junior less established wrestlers perform duties in the stable, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Competitive standings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing descend in standing.

Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a traditional document displaying everyone's status in professional sumo.

At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the essence of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most from Japan.

International competitors have been involved prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance in recent times.

Top champions feature international representatives, including wrestlers from various nations achieving high ranks.

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