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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Various rituals are performed before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.

Customarily prior to competition, an opening is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

The hole is closed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away bad spirits.

Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training communally.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is being held internationally only the second occasion, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion such an event took place outside Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has seen substantial growth in international interest globally recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match is decided once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.

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

There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.

Size categories do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups rather than physical attributes.

While women do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

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

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a large meal the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers 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 rikishi life are regulated by their stable and governing body – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options including support staff.

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

Competitive standings are established through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend the rankings.

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

At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.

Top champions include international representatives, with competitors multiple countries achieving high ranks.

Recently, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.