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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Schedule: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport involves two competitors – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

Customarily before a match, an opening is created at the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp and clap to drive off negative energies.

Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved commit completely to it – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

London and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion such an event was staged beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has experienced substantial growth in popularity globally in recent years, with overseas events potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout is decided once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.

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

There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents from the arena through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.

High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles adjusting against different styles.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.

Weight classes do not exist within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings decides opponents instead of physical attributes.

While women do compete in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities called heya, led by a head trainer.

The daily routine of a rikishi centers completely on sumo. Early mornings dedicated to training, followed by a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

Competitive standing determines their payment, living arrangements and even support staff.

Junior or lower ranked wrestlers perform duties in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.

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

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

The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions represent 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 for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.

Top champions feature global participants, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks.

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