Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Location: This Historic London Venue, London. Schedule: 15-19 October
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Traditionally prior to competition, an opening is created at the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
The hole is closed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ritual stamp and clap to scare away negative energies.
Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to the sport – living and training communally.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.
London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".
Sumo has experienced a significant rise in popularity globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match concludes when a rikishi gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.
Matches might end in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi and use throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt to their opponents.
There are 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results can occur during any match.
Size categories do not exist in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups rather than body measurements.
Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities called heya, under a stable master.
The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.
Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.
Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.
Competitive standing determines earnings, living arrangements and even support staff.
Younger less established rikishi perform duties in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.
Competitive standings get determined through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, while those losing drop down the rankings.
Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.
Top champions include global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan seeking professional sumo careers.
