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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.

This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo.

Traditionally before a match, a hole is created at the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening is closed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to scare away negative energies.

Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to the sport – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally for just the second time, as the tournament occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament took place outside Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has seen a significant rise in international interest among international fans in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Matches might end almost instantly or last over two minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters typically shove competitors from the arena by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.

High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques adjusting against different styles.

There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.

Size categories 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.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from elite competitions or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities called heya, led by a stable master.

The daily routine for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage during matches. Although large, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking determines earnings, living arrangements including personal assistants.

Younger less established wrestlers handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings get determined through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, while those losing descend the rankings.

Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the essence of the sport – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.

International competitors have participated prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Current Yokozuna feature global participants, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks.

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