Sumo wrestlers begin five-day tournament in London

Sumo wrestlers from Japan arrived in London last Wednesday. Competitions will be held here, for which the Albert Hall will be dedicated. The purpose of the competition is to demonstrate an ancient sport based on traditions and rituals. Everyone will be shocked by the sight of huge half-naked men.

Part of 40 elite rikishi (wrestlers) arrived for the weekend along with organizers, judges and sumo elders ahead of the Grand Tournament, writes xrust. This is the first event of its kind held outside of Japan. However, competitions were held in the same arena in 1991.

Eleven tons of clay and earth were delivered to the center of the hall to create a «dohyo» platform, on which was marked a circle of bales of rice, compacted into the desired shape and secured with beer bottles.

The tournament was more than a decade in the making under the leadership of sumo elder Hakkaku, chairman of the Japan Sumo Association, who won the tournament in 1991 as himself a “Yokozuna,” or Grand Champion, the highest rank in the sport.

Xrust Sumo Wrestlers started a five-day tournament in London