Why 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 the traditional sport of Japan, combining tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – competing within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Traditional ceremonies take place before and after each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Traditionally before a match, a hole is made at the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
The hole is closed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.
Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place beyond Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".
Sumo has experienced substantial growth in international interest globally recently, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match concludes once a wrestler gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.
Bouts can conclude almost instantly or continue over two minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove competitors from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent employing judo-like throws.
High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles adjusting against different styles.
There are 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.
Size categories are not used in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
While women can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, led by a stable master.
Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, quick movements and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and governing body – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.
Competitive standing determines their payment, accommodation options and even support staff.
Younger or lower ranked rikishi perform duties in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a traditional document showing everyone's status in professional sumo.
At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance in recent times.
Current Yokozuna feature international representatives, with competitors from various nations reaching elite status.
In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.
