🔗 Share this article Why the Grand Sumo Tournament is Being Held in the UK Capital The Grand Sumo Tournament Location: This Historic London Venue, London. Dates: October 15th through 19th Understanding Japan's National Sport Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins over a millennium. This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – competing inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across. Various rituals take place before and after every match, emphasizing the traditional nature in sumo. Customarily before a match, a hole is created in the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake through Shinto ceremonies. The hole is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to drive off bad spirits. Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training communally. Why London? The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, with the competition taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October 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. Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed the intention to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture". Sumo has seen a significant rise in international interest among international fans in recent years, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of Japanese culture internationally. How Sumo Matches Work The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The match concludes when a rikishi is forced out of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles. Matches might end almost instantly or continue over two minutes. Sumo features two main fighting styles. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents out of the ring through strength, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent employing judo-like throws. Elite wrestlers often master various techniques adjusting against different styles. Sumo includes dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur in any bout. Weight classes are not used in sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than body measurements. While women can participate in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas. Life as a Sumo Wrestler Professional rikishi reside and practice together in training stables known as heya, under a stable master. The daily routine for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap. The average wrestler consumes between multiple servings each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of massive eating exist in sumo history. Rikishi intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts. Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated through their training house and the Sumo Association – making a unique lifestyle in professional sports. Competitive standing determines their payment, accommodation options including support staff. Younger less established rikishi handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment. Sumo rankings get determined by results during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones drop down the rankings. Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document showing all wrestlers' positions within the sport. At the summit features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning. Who Becomes a Rikishi There are approximately several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, primarily being Japanese. International competitors have participated prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels currently. Top champions include global participants, with competitors from various nations achieving high ranks. Recently, young international aspirants have traveled to Japan seeking professional sumo careers.