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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals dating back over a millennium.

This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – competing within a circular arena – a dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) across.

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

Customarily before a match, a hole is made in the center of the ring and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

The hole gets sealed, containing within divine presence. The rikishi then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away negative energies.

Professional sumo operates under a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – residing and practicing in group settings.

The London Location

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

London and The Royal Albert Hall also hosted the 1991 tournament – the first time such an event took place outside Japan in the sport's history.

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

Sumo has seen substantial growth 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 quite simple. The bout concludes when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.

Matches can conclude almost instantly or last several minutes.

Sumo features two primary techniques. Pusher-thrusters generally push their opponents out of the ring by force, whereas grapplers choose to grip the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.

High-ranking rikishi often master various techniques and can adapt to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, including audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety of techniques and strategies maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.

Weight classes are not used in sumo, so it's common to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than body measurements.

While women do compete in non-professional sumo globally, they're excluded from elite competitions or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers live and train in communal facilities called heya, led by a head trainer.

The daily routine for wrestlers focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings for intense practice, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a high-protein dish designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

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

Rikishi purposely increase mass to enhance leverage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled by their stable and the Sumo Association – making a unique lifestyle among athletic professions.

Competitive standing affects earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Younger or lower ranked rikishi perform duties around the heya, whereas senior competitors receive special privileges.

Sumo rankings are established through performance during yearly events. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.

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

The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. Yokozuna represent the spirit of the sport – transcending winning.

Who Becomes a Rikishi

There are approximately several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, with most from Japan.

Foreign wrestlers have been involved significantly over years, including Mongolian wrestlers achieving dominance in recent times.

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

In recent news, foreign prospects have traveled to the homeland pursuing wrestling careers.