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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.

This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Various rituals take place before and after each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

Traditionally before a match, a hole is made at the center of the dohyo and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.

The hole gets sealed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.

Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is taking place outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

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

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership stated the intention to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has seen a significant rise in international interest globally recently, with overseas events potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The bout concludes when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.

Matches can conclude almost instantly or continue several minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors from the arena by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.

There are dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.

Weight classes are not used within sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than physical attributes.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

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

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early dedicated to training, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi consumes between multiple servings each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.

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

Competitive standing determines earnings, accommodation options and even personal assistants.

Younger less established rikishi perform duties in the stable, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings are established through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.

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

The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

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

Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly over years, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.

Top champions include global participants, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks.

In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.