Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in London
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Schedule: October 15th through 19th
Understanding Sumo Wrestling
Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – called rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Various rituals take place both preceding and following every match, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Traditionally before a match, an opening is created in the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.
Elite sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – 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 was staged outside Japan in sumo history.
Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed the intention to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
Sumo has seen substantial growth in popularity among international fans in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.
How Sumo Matches Work
The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The match concludes when a rikishi gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides the sole of his feet.
Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent employing judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur during any match.
Size categories do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, led by a stable master.
Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a large meal the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi consumes between multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage during matches. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, living arrangements including support staff.
Younger or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties in the stable, while higher ranked competitors receive special privileges.
Competitive standings get determined through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, while those losing drop down in standing.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list displaying all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.
The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most from Japan.
International competitors have participated significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels currently.
Current Yokozuna include international representatives, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.
Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan pursuing professional sumo careers.
