There's Nothing Like Experiencing the Royal Albert Hall Vibrate When Sumo Wrestlers Clash

Not many athletic disciplines can keep viewers enthralled through three-quarters of an hour of ritual before the opening contest is even determined.

Yet the detailed ceremonies unfolding in a small clay ring - mostly preserved for generations - managed to do just that.

Discover the Major Sumo Competition

This five-day event at the historic concert hall features four dozen top-tier sumo wrestlers showcasing a sport whose first mention dates back to ancient times.

London's Victorian concert venue has been totally redesigned, complete with a six-tonne Japanese temple roof hanging above the competition area.

Ancient Traditions Meet Current Innovations

It is here the competitors, known as rikishi, perform their foot stomping to banish evil spirits, and where they applaud to summon the divine beings.

Above all this traditional ritual, a enormous circular monitor - which wouldn't look out of place at an NBA match - offers the crowd all the data and video they could want.

Global Fans Discover Sumo

For an enthusiastic follower, it was a "random video" that first drew her interest a couple of years ago.

This was soon supplemented with the discovery of focused video platforms for rikishi houses, where athletes reside and practice, starting their day early to train, followed by a nutritious chankonabe and then an daytime sleep - all in the effort toward gaining weight.

Hailing from Scotland, Another Perspective

Another couple discovered sumo through a conventional method: a journey to Asia six years ago.

"We approached it as a very touristy activity, but we actually came to adore the sport," notes the enthusiast.

"Subsequently, we tried to locate groups, materials, just to learn more about it," the other fan explains.

Rare Opportunity

Visiting the homeland is almost the only way to see a elite competition.

This London competition marks only the second instance 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 current times seeing completely booked tournaments.

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.

"Observing directly, you get a sense of the speed and the strength which you can't experience on TV," notes one fan. "Their size is impressive."

The Competition

To succeed, one rikishi needs to move the other man off the clay or to the surface using raw power.

The majority use one of dual approaches to achieve this, often in split seconds - thrusting, or wrestling.

Either way, the impact of the two rikishi crashing together in the opening second of the match echoes around the venue.

Premium Seating

The seats right next to the dohyō are of course extremely sought-after - but also, potentially hazardous.

During one specific contest, a 191cm wrestler fell into the spectators - perhaps making those in less expensive positions experience comfort.

Organizational Issues

Of course, the dimensions of the rikishi is one of the first things most people imagine when they consider the sport.

The venue's management revealed they "were required to locate and purchase additional seating which can withstand 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its successful competitions - is not without its difficulties behind the scenes.

Coming Obstacles

Perhaps the demanding existence of a sumo wrestler doesn't look as appealing as it once might have.

Its popularity among young Japanese is also being competed with by alternative competitions, while Japan's declining population will present additional challenges.

Worldwide Following

Not that any of this has concerned enthusiasts in London.

"Seeing all this ritual and ceremony that goes with sumo is especially significant," one enthusiast notes. "Today, watching it directly, you feel like you are more involved."

For other committed supporters, the excitement "created amazing experiences" - as did meeting the like-minded individuals.

"Leaving a very niche online community and being able to witness multiple sumo fans directly and being able to converse with other people who are similarly enthusiastic as we are - it was worth every penny."