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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Location: This Historic London Venue, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Various rituals are performed both preceding and following every match, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.

Customarily before a match, an opening is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening is closed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.

Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held internationally for just the second time, with the competition occurring in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall previously held the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, sumo leadership stated the intention to "convey to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has experienced a significant rise in international interest among international fans in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match concludes when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.

Bouts can conclude almost instantly or last several minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi often master multiple combat styles and can adapt to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.

Size categories are not used within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups instead of physical attributes.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from elite competitions including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities known as heya, under a head trainer.

Everyday life of a rikishi centers completely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler consumes between multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.

A wrestler's ranking determines earnings, living arrangements including support staff.

Junior or lower ranked rikishi perform duties in the stable, while higher ranked ones enjoy special privileges.

Competitive standings are established through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors advance, unsuccessful ones descend in standing.

Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna embody the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily being Japanese.

International competitors have participated significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels in recent times.

Current Yokozuna include global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

In recent news, young international aspirants have journeyed to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.