🔗 Share this article

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Location: This Historic London Venue, London. Schedule: 15-19 October

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back more than 1,000 years.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Various rituals take place before and after every match, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.

Traditionally before a match, a hole is made at the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to it – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is taking place outside of Japan only the second occasion, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated the intention to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has experienced a significant rise in popularity among international fans recently, with overseas events potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The bout concludes when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.

Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent employing throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.

Size categories are not used within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents instead of body measurements.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities known as heya, led by a stable master.

Everyday life for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence are regulated through their training house and governing body – creating a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Younger less established rikishi handle chores around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings get determined through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.

Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a traditional document showing everyone's status within the sport.

At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. These champions represent the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most from Japan.

International competitors have participated significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.

Current Yokozuna include international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

Recently, young international aspirants have journeyed to Japan pursuing professional sumo careers.