The Reason the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: This Historic London Venue, London. Schedule: 15-19 October
Understanding Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.
This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.
Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily prior to competition, a hole is created in the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.
This opening is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off negative energies.
Professional sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training communally.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
London with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place outside Japan in sumo history.
Clarifying the decision 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 seen a significant rise in popularity among international fans recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The match is decided when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.
Bouts might end almost instantly or last over two minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters typically shove competitors from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques adjusting to their opponents.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws strategic evasions. The variety in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results can occur during any match.
Size categories do not exist within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables called heya, led by a stable master.
The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.
The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, living arrangements and even support staff.
Junior less established wrestlers perform duties around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.
Competitive standings are established through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.
Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a traditional document showing all wrestlers' positions within the sport.
The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the spirit of the sport – beyond mere competition.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have participated significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.
Top champions include international representatives, with competitors from various nations reaching elite status.
In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.
