🔗 Share this article

The Grand Sumo Tournament

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

Exploring Japan's National Sport

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, combining custom, rigorous training and ancient spiritual practices dating back more than 1,000 years.

This physical contest involves two competitors – called rikishi – battling within a circular arena – the dohyo – measuring 4.55m (14.9 ft) in diameter.

Traditional ceremonies are performed before and after each bout, emphasizing the ceremonial aspects of the sport.

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

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

Professional sumo is governed a strict hierarchy, with competitors involved dedicate their entire lives to the sport – living and training communally.

Why London?

The Grand Sumo Tournament is taking place internationally only the second occasion, with the competition taking place in London beginning October 15th until Sunday, 19 October.

London with this iconic venue also hosted the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion a tournament took place beyond Japan in sumo history.

Explaining the reasoning behind going overseas, the Japan Sumo Association chair expressed the intention to "convey with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

The sport has seen a significant rise in popularity among international fans recently, and a rare international tournament could further boost the popularity of traditional Japan internationally.

How Sumo Matches Work

The fundamental regulations in sumo wrestling are quite simple. The bout concludes when a rikishi gets pushed of the dohyo or makes contact using anything besides their foot soles.

Bouts might end almost instantly or continue over two minutes.

Sumo features two main fighting styles. Pusher-thrusters typically shove their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters choose to grip the other rikishi employing throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in multiple combat styles adjusting to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, including dramatic throws to clever side-steps. This diversity in moves and tactics keeps audiences engaged, so surprises and upsets can occur during any match.

Weight classes do not exist within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi with significant size differences. Sumo rankings determine matchups instead of body measurements.

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

Rikishi Lifestyle

Sumo wrestlers live and train together in training stables known as heya, under a stable master.

Everyday life of a rikishi focuses entirely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a large meal the traditional stew – a high-protein dish aimed at building mass – with rest periods.

Typical rikishi consumes between six to 10 bowls per meal – thousands of calories – although legendary stories of massive eating exist in sumo history.

Wrestlers intentionally gain weight for competitive advantage in the ring. Although large, they demonstrate surprising agility, rapid reflexes and explosive power.

Virtually every aspect of rikishi life are regulated by their stable and governing body – creating a distinctive existence in professional sports.

Competitive standing affects their payment, accommodation options including personal assistants.

Younger less established wrestlers perform duties in the stable, whereas senior competitors receive preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings get determined by results in six annual tournaments. Successful competitors move up, unsuccessful ones drop down in standing.

Before each tournament, a new banzuke gets published – a ceremonial list displaying all wrestlers' positions within the sport.

The highest level features the title of Yokozuna – the ultimate achievement. These champions embody the essence of sumo – beyond mere competition.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers in professional sumo, primarily from Japan.

International competitors have participated significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance currently.

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

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