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The Grand Sumo Tournament

Venue: This Historic London Venue, London. Dates: 15-19 October

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents the traditional sport of Japan, blending custom, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.

This physical contest features two wrestlers – known as rikishi – battling within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Various rituals take place before and after each bout, highlighting the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

Customarily prior to competition, a hole is made in the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ritual stamp and clap to drive off bad spirits.

Elite sumo is governed a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved dedicate their entire lives to it – living and training communally.

The London Location

This Major Sumo Event is being held internationally for just the second time, 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 took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Clarifying the decision for the international competition, the Japan Sumo Association chair stated he wanted to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has experienced a significant rise in international interest globally in recent years, and a rare international tournament potentially enhancing the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are quite simple. The match is decided once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor using anything besides their foot soles.

Matches can conclude in a fraction of a second or last several minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove their opponents from the arena by force, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent and use throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques adjusting to their opponents.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, meaning unexpected results may happen during any match.

Size categories are not used in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents rather than body measurements.

While women can participate in non-professional sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train together in training stables called heya, under a head trainer.

Everyday life for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a large meal the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and governing body – making a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.

Competitive standing affects their payment, living arrangements and even personal assistants.

Younger less established rikishi handle chores in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Competitive standings get determined through performance in six annual tournaments. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down the rankings.

Before each tournament, updated rankings are released – a traditional document displaying everyone's status within the sport.

At the summit exists the rank of Grand Champion – the ultimate achievement. These champions embody the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes 600 rikishi competing professionally, with most from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.

Current Yokozuna feature global participants, including wrestlers from various nations reaching elite status.

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