The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: This Historic London Venue, London. Dates: 15-19 October
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.
This physical contest involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.
Customarily before a match, a hole is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening is closed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.
Professional sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing communally.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.
London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – the first time such an event took place outside Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership expressed the intention to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".
Sumo has experienced a significant rise in international interest globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than the sole of his feet.
Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.
Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting against different styles.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws strategic evasions. The variety of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.
Weight classes do not exist in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system decides opponents rather than physical attributes.
While women can participate in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables called heya, led by a stable master.
The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented.
Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage during matches. Although large, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
Competitive standing determines their payment, living arrangements including personal assistants.
Younger less established rikishi handle chores in the stable, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend the rankings.
Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list displaying everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most being Japanese.
International competitors have participated significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.
Top champions include global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.
