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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.

This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Various rituals are performed both preceding and following every match, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

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

The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Elite sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers who participate dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament took place beyond Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed 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 in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

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

Bouts might end almost instantly or last several minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers often master multiple combat styles adjusting against different styles.

Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.

Weight classes do not exist within sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. The ranking system decides opponents rather than body measurements.

Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities called heya, under a head trainer.

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler consumes between multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

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

A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Younger less established wrestlers perform duties around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings get determined through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.

Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list displaying everyone's status within the sport.

The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions embody the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily from Japan.

International competitors have been involved prominently over years, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.

Current Yokozuna include global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.

In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan seeking professional sumo careers.