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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Location: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: 15-19 October

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back over a millennium.

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

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

Customarily before a match, an opening is created in the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.

Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely to it – living and training communally.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time a tournament was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, 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, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations of sumo 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.

Matches might end in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push competitors from the arena by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.

Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout.

Size categories do not exist in 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 amateur sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, led by a head trainer.

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, followed by a large meal the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi consumes between multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Junior or lower ranked rikishi handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings get determined through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing drop down in standing.

Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list displaying everyone's status in professional sumo.

At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of the sport – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes 600 rikishi in professional sumo, primarily from Japan.

International competitors have been involved significantly over years, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.

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

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