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Few sports can hold spectators spellbound through three-quarters of an hour of ritual before the opening contest is even decided.

Yet the complex rituals unfolding in a small clay ring - largely unaltered for centuries - managed to do just that.

Discover the Grand Sumo Tournament

This multi-day tournament at the Royal Albert Hall features numerous elite sumo athletes showcasing a sport whose earliest records dates back to the first century BC.

London's renowned auditorium has been totally redesigned, complete with a massive traditional roof structure hanging above the ring.

Ancient Traditions Meet Current Innovations

It is here the athletes, known as rikishi, perform their shiko exercises to drive away negative energies, and where they applaud to get the attention of the gods.

Above all this ancient ceremony, a giant, revolving LED screen - which wouldn't look out of place at an American basketball game - offers the audience all the stats and replays they could want.

Worldwide Followers Find Sumo

For Sian Spencer, it was a "unexpected footage" that first drew her interest a couple of years ago.

This was quickly followed by the discovery of specialized online content for rikishi houses, where athletes reside and practice, rising before dawn to train, followed by a protein-rich meal and then an midday rest - all in the service of bulking up.

Traveling from the North, Another Perspective

Julia and her partner Cezar discovered sumo through a more traditional route: a visit to the country six years ago.

"We considered it a common sightseeing event, but we actually developed passion for the sport," explains the fan.

"After that, we tried to locate groups, information, just to deepen our understanding about it," the other fan explains.

Rare Opportunity

Going to Japan is generally the primary approach to see a top-flight sumo tournament.

This current tournament marks only the second occasion the tournament has come to London - the previous visit was in 1991.

Even traveling to Asia isn't a guarantee of obtaining admission, with recent years seeing completely booked tournaments.

First-Hand Experience

For multiple fans, the UK competition represents the initial opportunity they have watched sumo in person - and it exceeds expectations.

"Watching nearby, you get a feeling of velocity and the force which you can't experience on TV," explains an attendee. "They are so big."

The Bouts

To succeed, one rikishi needs to move the other man from the dohyō or to the ground using raw power.

The primary group use one of dual approaches to accomplish this, often in instantaneous actions - thrusting, or grappling.

Either way, the impact of the two athletes meeting in the opening second of the match reverberates around the auditorium.

Premium Seating

The positions right next to the dohyō are of course extremely sought-after - but also, somewhat dangerous.

During one particular match, a large wrestler fell into the audience - perhaps making those in slightly cheaper seats breathe a sigh of relief.

Behind the Scenes

Of course, the dimensions of the rikishi is one of the initial aspects most people imagine when they consider the sport.

The venue's management revealed they "needed to find and acquire reinforced furniture which can withstand 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its sell-out events - is not without its challenges behind the scenes.

Future Challenges

Perhaps the strict life of a professional athlete doesn't look as attractive as it once might have.

Its popularity among youth in Japan is also being competed with by alternative competitions, while Japan's decreasing numbers will not help.

International Network

Not that any of this has concerned enthusiasts in London.

"Seeing all this custom and formality that goes with sumo is especially significant," an attendee explains. "Currently, observing it directly, you experience being you are more engaged."

For other committed supporters, the intensity "made it so incredible" - as did meeting the other fans.

"Leaving a particularly focused online community and being able to witness multiple sumo fans directly and being able to speak to other people who are equally passionate as we are - it was worth every penny."