🔗 Share this article

The Grand Sumo Tournament

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

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices dating back 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 every match, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

Traditionally before a match, an opening is created in the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.

Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed he wanted to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has experienced substantial growth in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match is decided when a rikishi gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.

Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove their opponents out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.

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

There are dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.

Size categories do not exist within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings decides opponents instead of physical attributes.

While women do compete in non-professional sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, led by a stable master.

Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they possess surprising agility, quick movements with strong bursts.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life are regulated through their training house and governing body – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, living arrangements including personal assistants.

Junior or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Competitive standings get determined through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing drop down the rankings.

Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a traditional document showing everyone's status within the sport.

The highest level exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the essence of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Top champions include global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.

In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.