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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

Venue: The Royal Albert Hall, the British Capital. Dates: October 15th through 19th

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo represents Japan's iconic national sport, blending tradition, discipline and ancient spiritual practices with origins more than 1,000 years.

This physical contest involves two competitors – known as rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies take place both preceding and following each bout, emphasizing the traditional nature of the sport.

Traditionally prior to competition, an opening is created at the center of the dohyo and filled with symbolic offerings through Shinto ceremonies.

This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside a spirit. The rikishi subsequently execute a ritual stamp with hand clapping 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 in group settings.

The London Location

The Grand Sumo Tournament is being held outside of Japan only the second occasion, as the tournament taking place in London beginning October 15th through October 19th.

London with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 edition – the first time a tournament took place outside Japan in the sport's history.

Clarifying the decision for the international competition, sumo leadership expressed he wanted to share to the people of London the appeal of Sumo – an ancient traditional Japanese culture".

The sport has experienced substantial growth in international interest among international fans recently, with overseas events could further boost the appeal of Japanese culture abroad.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are straightforward. The match is decided once a wrestler is forced out from the ring or makes contact with anything other than their foot soles.

Bouts might end almost instantly or continue over two minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters generally push competitors out of the ring through strength, whereas grapplers prefer to grapple their opponent and use judo-like throws.

Elite wrestlers often master various techniques and can adapt against different styles.

Sumo includes 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. This diversity of techniques and strategies keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.

Weight classes do not exist in sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system decides opponents rather than physical attributes.

While women do compete in amateur sumo globally, they're excluded from professional tournaments or the main arenas.

Rikishi Lifestyle

Professional rikishi live and train in communal facilities known as heya, under a stable master.

The daily routine of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. They rise early for intense practice, followed by a large meal of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler eats approximately six to 10 bowls per meal – approximately 10,000 calories – with notable instances of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight to enhance leverage during matches. Despite their size, they possess surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Nearly all elements of rikishi life get controlled through their training house and governing body – making a distinctive existence among athletic professions.

A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Junior or lower ranked wrestlers 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 move up, unsuccessful ones descend the rankings.

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

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

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

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

International competitors have participated prominently over years, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.

Current Yokozuna include international representatives, including wrestlers multiple countries achieving high ranks.

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