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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Location: This Historic London Venue, London. Schedule: 15-19 October

Exploring Sumo Wrestling

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, combining custom, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals dating back over a millennium.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

Traditional ceremonies take place before and after every match, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

Traditionally prior to competition, a hole is created at the center of the ring then filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

The hole gets sealed, containing within a spirit. The rikishi then perform a ceremonial stomp and clap to scare away bad spirits.

Professional sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to it – residing and practicing in group settings.

Why London?

This Major Sumo Event is taking place internationally only the second occasion, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

The British capital with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time such an event was staged outside Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

Sumo has experienced substantial growth in popularity among international fans recently, with overseas events could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan abroad.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides the sole of his feet.

Bouts might end in a fraction of a second or continue over two minutes.

There exist two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip their opponent and use judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from dramatic throws strategic evasions. This diversity of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.

Weight classes do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups rather than physical attributes.

Although female athletes can participate in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, under a head trainer.

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi eats approximately multiple servings per meal – thousands of calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption are documented.

Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they possess remarkable flexibility, quick movements with strong bursts.

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

A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, accommodation options including support staff.

Junior less established wrestlers perform duties in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings are established through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing drop down the rankings.

Prior to events, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

At the summit exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. Yokozuna embody the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most being Japanese.

Foreign wrestlers have participated prominently over years, including Mongolian wrestlers reaching top levels currently.

Top champions feature global participants, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.

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