The Reason the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in London
The Grand Sumo Tournament
Venue: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Schedule: October 15th through 19th
Understanding Sumo Wrestling
Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining tradition, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back over a millennium.
This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.
Traditional ceremonies take place before and after every match, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.
Customarily prior to competition, a hole is created at the center of the dohyo then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.
The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away negative energies.
Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, with competitors who participate commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.
The London Location
The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament 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 was staged outside Japan in sumo history.
Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".
The sport has seen substantial growth in popularity among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.
How Sumo Matches Work
The basic rules of sumo are straightforward. The bout concludes when a rikishi is forced out from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.
Matches might end in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.
There exist two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors from the arena through strength, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi employing judo-like throws.
Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.
There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws strategic evasions. The variety in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen during any match.
Weight classes are not used in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents rather than body measurements.
While women do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.
Rikishi Lifestyle
Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, under a stable master.
The daily routine of a rikishi centers completely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – with rest periods.
The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.
Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, quick movements with strong bursts.
Virtually every aspect of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.
Competitive standing affects earnings, living arrangements including support staff.
Younger or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.
Sumo rankings are established through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down in standing.
Prior to events, updated rankings are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.
The highest level features the title of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. These champions embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.
Who Becomes a Rikishi
The sport includes 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most from Japan.
Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels currently.
Top champions include global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.
Recently, foreign prospects have journeyed to Japan seeking wrestling careers.
