🔗 Share this article Why This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital The Grand Sumo Tournament Location: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Schedule: October 15th through 19th Exploring Sumo Wrestling Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years. This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across. Various rituals are performed before and after every match, highlighting the ceremonial aspects in sumo. Customarily prior to competition, a hole is made at the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies. The hole is closed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off negative energies. Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training communally. The London Location This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally only the second occasion, with the competition occurring in London beginning October 15th through October 19th. London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged outside Japan in sumo history. Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed the intention to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture". Sumo has seen a significant rise in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan abroad. How Sumo Matches Work The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The bout is decided once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles. Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes. There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters typically shove their opponents from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use throwing techniques. Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt to their opponents. Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout. Size categories do not exist in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of body measurements. Although female athletes do compete in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues. Life as a Sumo Wrestler Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, led by a head trainer. Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – with rest periods. The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of massive eating are documented. Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Although large, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power. Nearly all elements of rikishi life are regulated through their training house and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports. Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements and even personal assistants. Junior or lower ranked rikishi handle chores around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges. Competitive standings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing descend in standing. Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport. At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition. Sumo Wrestlers Demographics The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most being Japanese. International competitors have been involved prominently for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times. Current Yokozuna feature global participants, with competitors multiple countries achieving high ranks. In recent news, young international aspirants have journeyed to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.