The Reason This Major Sumo Event Takes Place in London

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: This Historic London Venue, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.

This physical contest involves two competitors – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.

Various rituals are performed before and after each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

Traditionally prior to competition, an opening is created 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. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, sumo leadership expressed he wanted to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has experienced a significant rise in international interest among international fans recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The match is decided when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.

Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or last several minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors from the arena by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use 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 of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.

Size categories do not exist in sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than physical attributes.

While women can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities called heya, under a stable master.

Everyday life of a rikishi centers completely on sumo. Early mornings for intense practice, followed by a large meal the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence get controlled through their training house and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking determines earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Younger less established wrestlers perform duties around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.

Sumo rankings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list displaying everyone's status within the sport.

The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the essence of the sport – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.

International competitors have participated prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.

Top champions include global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to Japan pursuing wrestling careers.