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This Prestigious Sumo Competition

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

Understanding Sumo Wrestling

Sumo embodies the traditional sport of Japan, blending tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals with origins over a millennium.

This combat sport involves two competitors – called rikishi – battling inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – spanning 4.55 meters across.

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

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

This opening gets sealed, enshrining inside divine presence. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp with hand clapping to scare away bad spirits.

Professional sumo operates under a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers involved commit completely to the sport – residing and practicing communally.

Why London?

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

The British capital with this iconic venue previously held the 1991 tournament – marking the initial occasion such an event took place beyond Japan in the sport's history.

Explaining the reasoning for the international competition, sumo leadership stated the intention to share with London audiences sumo's attraction – a historic Japanese tradition".

Sumo has seen substantial growth in international interest among international fans in recent years, and a rare international tournament could further boost the appeal of traditional Japan internationally.

Sumo Bout Mechanics

The fundamental regulations of sumo are straightforward. The match is decided once a wrestler gets pushed of the dohyo or touches the floor using anything besides the sole of his feet.

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

There exist two primary techniques. Aggressive pushers generally push their opponents from the arena by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use throwing techniques.

Elite wrestlers frequently excel in various techniques and can adapt against different styles.

There are dozens of victory moves, including audacious throws strategic evasions. The variety in moves and tactics maintains fan interest, so surprises and upsets may happen in any bout.

Weight classes are not used within sumo, making it normal to see rikishi of varying dimensions. The ranking system determine matchups rather than body measurements.

Although female athletes do compete in amateur sumo globally, they cannot enter elite competitions including major venues.

Life as a Sumo Wrestler

Sumo wrestlers reside and practice in communal facilities called heya, led by a stable master.

The daily routine for wrestlers centers completely around the sport. Early mornings dedicated to training, then consuming a substantial lunch of chankonabe – a protein-rich preparation designed for weight gain – and an afternoon nap.

The average wrestler eats approximately multiple servings each sitting – approximately 10,000 calories – although legendary stories of extreme consumption exist in sumo history.

Rikishi purposely increase mass for competitive advantage during matches. Despite their size, they demonstrate remarkable flexibility, rapid reflexes with strong bursts.

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

A wrestler's ranking affects earnings, accommodation options and even support staff.

Younger or lower ranked rikishi perform duties in the stable, whereas senior ones enjoy preferred treatment.

Sumo rankings are established through performance during yearly events. Wrestlers with winning records move up, while those losing drop down in standing.

Before each tournament, updated rankings gets published – a ceremonial list showing all wrestlers' positions in professional sumo.

The highest level exists the rank of Yokozuna – the pinnacle position. These champions represent the spirit of sumo – transcending winning.

Sumo Wrestlers Demographics

The sport includes several hundred wrestlers competing professionally, with most from Japan.

International competitors have participated significantly for decades, with Mongolian athletes achieving dominance in recent times.

Top champions feature global participants, including wrestlers multiple countries reaching elite status.

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