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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Traditional ceremonies take place before and after each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

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

This opening is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.

Professional sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, with competitors who participate commit completely to it – living and training communally.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally only the second occasion, as the tournament occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged outside Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership stated he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has experienced a significant rise in popularity globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The bout is decided once a wrestler gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor with anything other than the sole of his feet.

Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers often master multiple combat styles and can adapt against different styles.

Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.

Weight classes are not used in sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings decides opponents instead of body measurements.

Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, under a head trainer.

The daily routine of a rikishi centers completely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating are documented.

Rikishi intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and governing body – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements and even support staff.

Junior or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores in the stable, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.

Competitive standings get determined by results during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.

Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.

At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily from Japan.

International competitors have participated prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Top champions include global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.

Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland seeking wrestling careers.