The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Venue: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Schedule: 15-19 October
Understanding Japan's National Sport
Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.
This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – competing within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Traditional ceremonies are performed both preceding and following every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.
Traditionally prior to competition, an opening is made in the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.
The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away negative energies.
Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training in group settings.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.
London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time a tournament took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.
Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".
Sumo has seen substantial growth in international interest globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout is decided once a wrestler gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.
Matches might end in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.
There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers often master multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.
Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.
Weight classes are not used within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups instead of body measurements.
While women can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they're excluded from elite competitions or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables 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 high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.
Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.
Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.
Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a unique lifestyle in professional sports.
A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, living arrangements including personal assistants.
Younger or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores in the stable, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.
Competitive standings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.
Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document showing everyone's status in professional sumo.
The highest level exists the rank of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Sumo Wrestlers Demographics
The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most from Japan.
International competitors have participated significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.
Current Yokozuna feature global participants, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks.
In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland pursuing professional sumo careers.
