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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending custom, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies are performed both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects in sumo.

Customarily before a match, an opening is created in the center of the ring then filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

The hole gets sealed, containing within divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to drive off negative energies.

Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing communally.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is taking place outside of Japan for just the second time, as the tournament taking place in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

The British capital and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – the first time a tournament 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 sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has seen a significant rise in international interest globally recently, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The basic rules in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor using anything besides the sole of his feet.

Matches might end almost instantly or last several minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents out of the ring through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent employing throwing techniques.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles and can adapt to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.

Weight classes do not exist within sumo, making it normal to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. The ranking system determine matchups rather than physical attributes.

While women do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables known as heya, under a stable master.

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a large meal the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

The average wrestler consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and governing body – making a unique lifestyle in professional sports.

Competitive standing determines their payment, living arrangements including support staff.

Younger or lower ranked wrestlers handle chores in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings are established by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, while those losing drop down the rankings.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke are released – a ceremonial list showing everyone's status within the sport.

At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions embody the spirit of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels in recent times.

Current Yokozuna include international representatives, with competitors multiple countries achieving high ranks.

Recently, young international aspirants have journeyed to Japan seeking professional sumo careers.