🔗 Share this article

Few sports can hold spectators spellbound through an extended period of tradition before the opening contest is even contested.

Yet the detailed ceremonies unfolding in a traditional dohyō - largely unaltered for centuries - accomplished exactly that.

Welcome to the Prestigious Rikishi Event

This multi-day tournament at the Royal Albert Hall features four dozen top-tier rikishi showcasing a sport whose earliest records dates back to ancient times.

London's historic performance space has been utterly transformed, complete with a elaborate suspended canopy hanging above the dohyō.

Time-Honored Rituals Meet Current Innovations

It is here the wrestlers, known as rikishi, perform their shiko exercises to drive away evil spirits, and where they applaud to summon the divine beings.

Above all this historical practice, a massive rotating display - that appears natural at an American basketball game - offers the crowd all the stats and replays they could want.

International Enthusiasts Discover Sumo

For one dedicated fan, it was a "random video" that first drew her interest a couple of years ago.

This was quickly followed by the discovery of focused video platforms for training facilities, where competitors stay and exercise, starting their day early to practice, followed by a high protein stew and then an midday rest - all in the service of increasing mass.

Traveling from the North, Different Experience

Julia and her partner Cezar discovered sumo through a conventional method: a trip to Japan six years ago.

"We saw it as a common sightseeing event, but we actually ended up loving the sport," notes the enthusiast.

"Subsequently, we tried to locate groups, information, just to learn more about it," adds Cezar.

Special Event

Going to Japan is generally the primary approach to see a elite competition.

This week's event marks only the second occasion the tournament has visited the city - the initial occasion was in the early nineties.

Even traveling to Asia isn't a guarantee of securing tickets, with recent years seeing fully attended competitions.

In-Person Viewing

For multiple fans, the current event represents the first time they have experienced the sport directly - and it lives up to the hype.

"Seeing it up close, you get a sense of the speed and the power which you don't get on TV," notes one fan. "Their stature is remarkable."

The Bouts

To achieve victory, one rikishi needs to push another off the clay or to the surface using physical force.

The most use one of pair of techniques to succeed in this, often in instantaneous actions - shoving, or grappling.

Either way, the noise of the two athletes meeting in the opening second of the match reverberates around the auditorium.

Prime Locations

The seats right next to the dohyō are of course greatly valued - but also, potentially hazardous.

During one recent bout, a large wrestler tumbled into the audience - perhaps making those in less expensive positions breathe a sigh of relief.

Organizational Issues

Of course, the size of the wrestlers is one of the first things most people think of when they consider the sport.

The facility's operators revealed they "were required to locate and buy new chairs which can take up to 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its popular tournaments - is not without its difficulties behind the scenes.

Future Challenges

Perhaps the rigorous lifestyle of a rikishi doesn't look as desirable as it once might have.

Its popularity among young Japanese is also being threatened by other sports, while Japan's decreasing numbers will not help.

Global Community

Not that any of this has worried fans in London.

"Seeing all this custom and formality that is part of sumo is particularly meaningful," fan Sian says. "Now, seeing it live, you feel like you are more engaged."

For other enthusiastic fans, the excitement "created amazing experiences" - as did meeting the other fans.

"Leaving a highly specialized online community and being able to observe numerous sumo fans directly and being able to converse with other people who are equally passionate as we are - it was absolutely worthwhile."