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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Venue: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Schedule: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.

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

Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after each bout, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.

Customarily prior to competition, a hole is made at the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ritual stamp and clap to drive off bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

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

London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has experienced a significant rise in popularity globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The match concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or makes contact with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Bouts might end almost instantly or last over two minutes.

There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent and use throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws strategic evasions. The variety of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.

Weight classes do not exist in sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system decides opponents instead of physical attributes.

While women can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities called heya, under a stable master.

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi eats approximately six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated through their training house and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, accommodation options including support staff.

Junior less established rikishi handle chores in the stable, while higher ranked ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings are established by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing descend the rankings.

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

At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

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

Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Top champions feature international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

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