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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Understanding Japan's National Sport

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, rigorous training and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.

This combat sport features two wrestlers – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

Traditional ceremonies are performed both preceding and following each bout, highlighting the traditional nature in sumo.

Customarily before a match, a hole is created in the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings by Shinto priests.

This opening gets sealed, containing within a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Elite sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, and the wrestlers who participate commit completely 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 from Wednesday, 15 October until Sunday, 19 October.

London with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time such an event was staged beyond Japan in sumo history.

Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership stated he wanted to share to the people of London sumo's attraction – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

Sumo has seen substantial growth in popularity globally recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The bout concludes once a wrestler gets pushed from the ring or touches the floor with anything other than their foot soles.

Matches can conclude almost instantly or last several minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers typically shove competitors out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip their opponent and use judo-like throws.

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

There are dozens of victory moves, ranging from audacious throws strategic evasions. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, meaning unexpected results can occur during any match.

Weight classes are not used within sumo, so it's common to observe wrestlers with significant size differences. Sumo rankings decides opponents rather than body measurements.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo worldwide, they cannot enter elite competitions or the main arenas.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities known as heya, under a head trainer.

The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely on sumo. They rise early for intense practice, then consuming a large meal the traditional stew – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Despite their size, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – creating a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, living arrangements including personal assistants.

Junior less established rikishi handle chores around the heya, while higher ranked competitors receive preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings are established through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records advance, while those losing descend in standing.

Prior to events, a new banzuke gets published – a traditional document displaying all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.

At the summit features the title of Grand Champion – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the essence of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most being Japanese.

International competitors have participated prominently for decades, with Mongolian athletes reaching top levels currently.

Current Yokozuna include international representatives, with competitors multiple countries reaching elite status.

Recently, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland seeking professional sumo careers.