🔗 Share this article

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: 15-19 October

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, combining tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.

Traditionally before a match, an opening is created at the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.

Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing communally.

Why London?

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

The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated the intention to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

Sumo has experienced a significant rise in international interest among international fans in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The match concludes once a wrestler gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent employing throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques adjusting against different styles.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.

Weight classes are not used within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than body measurements.

While women do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice together in training stables called heya, led by a stable master.

The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, living arrangements including support staff.

Younger or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.

Competitive standings get determined by results during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing descend the rankings.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document showing everyone's status within the sport.

The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the spirit of the sport – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, primarily from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.

Top champions feature global participants, including wrestlers from various nations achieving high ranks.

In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan pursuing wrestling careers.