The Reason the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th
Understanding Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back over a millennium.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Traditionally prior to competition, a hole is created at the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away bad spirits.
Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training in group settings.
Why London?
This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.
London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – the first time such an event was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has seen a significant rise in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The match concludes once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.
Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or last several minutes.
Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi employing judo-like throws.
High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.
Size categories are not used within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
While women do compete in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities called heya, under a stable master.
Everyday life of a rikishi 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.
The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.
Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.
Junior or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings are established by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings.
Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.
At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.
International competitors have been involved prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.
Top champions feature international representatives, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.
In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.
