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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Location: The Royal Albert Hall, 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 physical contest involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after every match, emphasizing the traditional nature in sumo.

Traditionally prior to competition, a hole is created in the center of the dohyo and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off bad spirits.

Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged outside Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to "convey with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has experienced substantial growth in international interest globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout is decided once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or makes contact using anything besides the sole of his feet.

Bouts can conclude in a fraction of a second or last several minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors out of the ring through strength, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent employing judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.

Size categories do not exist in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than body measurements.

While women do compete in non-professional sumo worldwide, they're excluded from elite competitions or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Professional rikishi live and train together in training stables known as heya, led by a stable master.

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating are documented.

Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate surprising agility, quick movements and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated through their training house and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing determines earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Younger or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings get determined through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing drop down the rankings.

Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.

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

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels currently.

Current Yokozuna include international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.

In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.