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APictures of keep circulating on social media sumo Wrestlers ride Lime bikes and recreate The Beatles cover Abbey RoadA question arises in mind: Is there any sport more mysterious than sumo? The more widely known but less consumed sport internationally?
In fact, sumo (“wrestling” is effectively redundant in translation) has been making waves in popular culture around the world for decades, and yet its actual competitions are almost exclusively rooted in its origins. JapanIn a historic turn, it is the second time this week that a professional sumo competition is being held abroad. How’s that for a state?
Sumo makes a miraculously rare excursion abroad London‘S Royal Albert Hall Had the honor of hosting the Grand Sumo Tournament. The sport’s only previous international event also took place at the ornate, prestigious London venue in 1991. Yet stepping into the Albert Hall, it becomes immediately clear: the heroes of this event are not the guests; Rather, as a spectator, one feels like a guest of an entire culture.
Of course, the same can’t be said for the Japanese fans in attendance, and there were plenty of them. But so much emphasis is placed on the rituals surrounding sumo that there is something transportive about the event – and even the Japanese in the stands certainly feel that transportive essence.
It fills the stunning, cylindrical room from the first seconds of the afternoon blessing of the ring, which is closed to fans but Independent It’s a privilege to be invited, It fills the room through the sound of two wooden blocks slowly hitting each other.
After the echo of that sound, a strange silence prevails in the Albert Hall. It’s almost depressing, except that British fighting games often involve screams and abuse, not silence.
Three men dressed in traditional Japanese gowns and headwear conduct the ritual. They wave leafy branches, recite psalms, and pour small amounts of liquid on a clay ring, among other small actions – some punctuated by bows, but each of them done deliberately, so slowly as to give maximum emphasis. Overall, items, as is traditional in Japan, are presented and received with both hands as a sign of complete attention and care. Later in the blessing, a drum is carried around the ring, with polyrhythms played from its skin and shaken from its wood.
fun facts
The Surprising Numbers Behind Pro Sumo
there are only 600 Professional rikishi (sumo wrestlers) are there now, and only 75 Yokozuna (the most elite rikishi) more than 250 It has been many years since the ranking system was started. Two Yokozuna is competing at the Royal Albert Hall this week.
This captivating series of scenes only serves to heighten the importance of the actual competition, presenting the combatants not as athletes but as something more: real warriors. The emphasis on honor in Japanese culture means that any venue less regal than the Albert Hall, which is packed tonight, would feel inappropriate for such an occasion – almost insulting.
The action itself begins with the rikishi (wrestlers) scattering salt to purify the dohyo (ring), before charging at each other (tachii) at the signal of the gyōji (referee). The first fight of the night elicits a roar from the crowd, leading to a thunderous applause at the conclusion of the match.
The object, as you may know, is for one seer to push the other outside the circle of rope placed around the ring, or to force them to touch the ground with any part of the body other than the soles of their feet. They must not punch, kick, headbutt or grab their opponent’s upper knuckles.
Ringside, five judges – retired rikishi, wearing formal kimono – sit and can raise their hands to protest the gyōji’s decision if they wish. It appears that the prize money on offer is up to 60,000 yen (£300) per fight, although there are also sponsors. (On this note, tickets are now going for more than £300, and some fans sit cross-legged on square red pads at ringside.) And if a lower-ranked rikishi defeats a yokozuna (the most elite level of wrestler), they earn a gold star that guarantees them a monthly bonus for the rest of their career. convenient.
Talking about work, a booklet Outline of various kimarite (victory techniques), of which more than 20 are listed. And so, in what you might consider a one-dimensional game, the patterns of competitions can vary greatly.
We see Rikishi hoisted up via double inside hold and dropped off the outside of the ropes. We see him thrown unbalanced and at an angle with techniques reminiscent of judo. Out of the ring and falling down the stairs. We see one-sided fights that are over within three seconds, and we see back-and-forth duels in which both rikishi are knocked back on their heels before a winner emerges. That said, even the longest matches don’t last more than 10 seconds.
However, none of this can happen before the salt is used to purify the ring and body; It is believed that salt has the power to ward off evil spirits. Similarly, the famous sumo shiko (stomp) is intended to ward off evil spirits lurking underground – although it is also used as a leg-strengthening exercise – and the seismic clap is meant to attract the attention of the gods and show that no weapons are being held.
“Sumo began as a ritual long before it became a sport,” says co-host Hiro Morita, known as the English voice of sumo. “Each moment is deeply connected to Shinto meaning and ritual,” he says, adding that sumo was originally a way to pray for a rich harvest.
Surprisingly, in the more than 250 years since the ranking system was created, there have been only 600 professional rikishi, and only 75 yokozuna. Notably, there are two competing in this event. In fact, the President of the International Sumo Federation is Hokutoumi Nobuyoshi, who won the 1991 tournament at the same venue.
Between bouts, the winner offers a ladle of water – the “water of power” – to the next combatant from the same side of the ring. Those sides are labeled “East” and “West”.
Yes, that’s a lot of information, but it’s worth saying that the surprisingly strong British contingent in the stands are already aware of these traditions. Many of them appreciate the introduction of specific rikishi with particular enthusiasm, which shows their understanding of the game’s landscape.
Some rikishi engage in more showmanship than others, ramming their huge fists into boxes of salt like JCB diggers before rapidly scattering piles of grain. However, what is uncharacteristically consistent is the waddle as competitors move across the field between battles. Yet this also paves the way for a unique athleticism in Waddle Dohyo.
This is also consistent with the way new fans are wooed by pre-match face-offs (shikiri). The intensity of the moment is such that engrossed fans suddenly start laughing when the rikishi separates at the last moment to collect more salt. It doesn’t matter how many times it happens, there’s bound to be a reaction.
And this event in itself brings happiness without fail. Your first sumo experience will be as educational as it is entertaining, lifting the curtain on the world’s most mysterious sport – and plunging you into an entirely different culture.
The remainder of the Grand Sumo Tournament, 16-19 October, will be live streamed on DAZN, Pluto TV and the BBC (iPlayer, Red Button, BBC Sport website and app).