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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: 15-19 October

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies take place before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

Customarily before a match, an opening is made in the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.

The hole is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away negative energies.

Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training communally.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally only the second occasion, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time such an event took place outside Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership stated he wanted to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has experienced a significant rise in international interest globally recently, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes when a rikishi is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Bouts might end almost instantly or last over two minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove competitors from the arena by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.

Size categories do not exist in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents rather than body measurements.

While women can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, led by a head trainer.

The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. Early mornings for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking determines their payment, living arrangements and even personal assistants.

Junior less established rikishi handle chores around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.

Competitive standings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down the rankings.

Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the essence of sumo – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.

Current Yokozuna feature global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.

In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.