🔗 Share this article

This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Location: This Historic London Venue, the British Capital. Schedule: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices dating back over a millennium.

This physical contest involves two competitors – known as rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

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

Customarily prior to competition, an opening is created in the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

The hole gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers subsequently execute a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Elite sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training in group settings.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, as the tournament taking place in London from Wednesday, 15 October through October 19th.

London with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament was staged beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to share with London audiences the appeal of Sumo – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has experienced a significant rise in international interest globally recently, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of traditional Japan abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or makes contact using anything besides the sole of his feet.

Matches can conclude almost instantly or last over two minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple their opponent employing judo-like throws.

High-ranking rikishi frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws strategic evasions. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets may happen during any match.

Size categories are not used in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. Sumo rankings decides opponents instead of body measurements.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter professional tournaments including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

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

The daily routine for wrestlers centers completely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a large meal of chankonabe – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements and explosive power.

Nearly all elements of wrestlers' existence are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.

A wrestler's ranking affects their payment, living arrangements and even support staff.

Junior or lower ranked rikishi perform duties in the stable, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.

Competitive standings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.

Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.

At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna represent the essence of the sport – beyond mere competition.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately 600 rikishi in professional sumo, with most from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance currently.

Current Yokozuna include global participants, including wrestlers from various nations achieving high ranks.

In recent news, young international aspirants have traveled to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.