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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Location: This Historic London Venue, London. Schedule: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Japan's National Sport

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

This physical contest features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Various rituals are performed both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.

Customarily prior to competition, an opening is created in the center of the ring and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off bad spirits.

Elite sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to it – residing and practicing in group settings.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally only the second occasion, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – the first time a tournament took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership stated the intention to "convey with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has seen substantial growth in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The bout is decided once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.

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

There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents from the arena by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent employing judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques adjusting to their opponents.

There are dozens of victory moves, including dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results may happen in any bout.

Size categories do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than physical attributes.

While women do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from elite competitions including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables called heya, under a stable master.

Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a large meal the traditional stew – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

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

Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.

A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, living arrangements including personal assistants.

Junior or lower ranked rikishi handle chores around the heya, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings are established through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.

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

At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. These champions embody the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately 600 rikishi in professional sumo, primarily from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.

Current Yokozuna include global participants, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.

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