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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

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 within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Traditional ceremonies take place before and after each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.

Customarily before a match, an opening is created at the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

The hole is closed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away negative energies.

Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved commit completely to it – living and training communally.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place outside Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has experienced a significant rise in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout concludes once a wrestler is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than the sole of his feet.

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

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent and use throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting against different styles.

There are 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.

Weight classes do not exist in sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents rather than physical attributes.

While women do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

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

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming 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 – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.

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

Competitive standing determines earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Junior less established rikishi perform duties around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.

Competitive standings get determined through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, while those losing drop down the rankings.

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

The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

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

International competitors have been involved prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.

Current Yokozuna feature global participants, with competitors multiple countries achieving high ranks.

Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan seeking wrestling careers.