The Reason This Major Sumo Event is Being Held in the UK Capital
This Prestigious Sumo Competition
Location: This Historic London Venue, London. Dates: 15-19 October
Exploring Sumo Wrestling
Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back over a millennium.
This physical contest involves two competitors – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.
Various rituals take place both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily before a match, a hole is created at the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.
This opening is closed, enshrining inside divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away bad spirits.
Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors who participate commit completely to the sport – living and training in group settings.
Why London?
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally for just the second time, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.
The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 edition – marking the initial occasion such an event took place outside Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated the intention to "convey to the people of London sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".
The sport has experienced a significant rise in international interest among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.
Sumo Bout Mechanics
The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.
Bouts might end almost instantly or last over two minutes.
Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors out of the ring through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.
Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt against different styles.
Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout.
Size categories are not used in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of physical attributes.
While women do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.
Life as a Sumo Wrestler
Professional rikishi live and train together in training stables called heya, under a stable master.
Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. They rise early dedicated to training, followed by a large meal the traditional stew – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.
Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.
Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and governing body – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions.
A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, living arrangements including personal assistants.
Younger less established rikishi handle chores in the stable, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.
Competitive standings are established through performance in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings.
Prior to events, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level exists the rank of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.
Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.
Current Yokozuna include global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.
In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland pursuing professional sumo careers.
