The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Dates: 15-19 October
Exploring Japan's National Sport
Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.
This physical contest involves two competitors – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.
Various rituals are performed before and after each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects of the sport.
Customarily prior to competition, a hole is made in the center of the dohyo and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.
Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors who participate commit completely to it – living and training communally.
The London Location
This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.
London with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event took place outside Japan in the sport's history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed he wanted to "convey with London audiences sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
Sumo has seen substantial growth in popularity among international fans in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture internationally.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The match is decided when a rikishi 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 from the arena by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.
High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt against different styles.
There are 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results may happen during any match.
Weight classes are not used in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than physical attributes.
Although female athletes can participate in non-professional sumo globally, they're excluded from elite competitions including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities known as heya, under a stable master.
Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
The average wrestler consumes between multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of massive eating are documented.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a distinctive existence in professional sports.
Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options including support staff.
Younger less established rikishi handle chores in the stable, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.
Sumo rankings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings.
Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly for decades, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.
Top champions include global participants, with competitors from various nations reaching elite status.
In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to Japan seeking wrestling careers.
