🔗 Share this article The Reason the Grand Sumo Tournament Takes Place in London This Prestigious Sumo Competition Location: The Royal Albert Hall, London. Dates: 15-19 October Understanding Japan's National Sport Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium. This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across. Traditional ceremonies take place before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo. Traditionally before a match, an opening is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests. The hole is closed, enshrining inside divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off negative energies. Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training communally. The London Location The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October. London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place outside Japan in the sport's history. Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, sumo leadership expressed he wanted to "convey with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture". Sumo has experienced substantial growth in popularity globally in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture internationally. How Sumo Matches Work The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match is decided when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles. Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or continue several minutes. There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters typically shove their opponents out of the ring through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques. Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt against different styles. Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results can occur in any bout. Weight classes do not exist within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents instead of physical attributes. Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues. Rikishi Lifestyle Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables called heya, under a head trainer. Everyday life of a rikishi centers completely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods. The average wrestler consumes between multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption are documented. Rikishi intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, 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 determines their payment, living arrangements and even personal assistants. Junior or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy special privileges. Sumo rankings get determined through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, while those losing descend in standing. Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport. At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of sumo – transcending winning. Who Becomes a Rikishi The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most being Japanese. International competitors have been involved significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times. Top champions include international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status. In recent news, foreign prospects have journeyed to Japan pursuing wrestling careers.