Why the Grand Sumo Tournament Takes Place in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: 15-19 October
Understanding Sumo Wrestling
Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back more than 1,000 years.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Traditional ceremonies take place before and after every match, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.
Customarily prior to competition, an opening is made at the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp and clap to drive off negative energies.
Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to it – residing and practicing in group settings.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion such an event took place beyond Japan in sumo history.
Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership expressed the intention to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has experienced a significant rise in popularity globally recently, with overseas events potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match is decided when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.
Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.
Sumo features two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters typically shove competitors from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.
High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.
There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results may happen during any match.
Size categories are not used in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of physical attributes.
Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, under a head trainer.
Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.
The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, quick movements with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and governing body – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
Competitive standing determines their payment, living arrangements including support staff.
Younger less established rikishi perform duties around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings are established by results during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, while those losing drop down in standing.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document displaying everyone's status within the sport.
At the summit exists the rank of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.
Top champions feature international representatives, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks.
In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.
