For the first time in 34 years, Japan's national sport has taken to the streets – literally – outside its homeland as London's Royal Albert Hall hosted the country's premier sumo tournament. The four-day extravaganza was a masterclass in power, intricacy and spectacle, with the Japanese Sumo Association chair Hakkaku describing it as "not only a sporting event, but a sacred ceremony."
The event has been years in the making, driven by Hakkaku's personal project to bring sumo back to where he won his famous victory before retirement. The response from Londoners was overwhelming, with all 300 seats at the hall sold out – and at prices that, although steep for some, were a relative bargain compared to witnessing the sport live in Japan.
For fans like Richard Riggs, vice-president of the British Sumo Association, this is more than just an exciting event – it's a chance to experience the sport they've been following online for years. Riggs himself took up sumo during lockdown and was soon competing at amateur world championships; he's now set up his own club in Barnsley.
The event has sparked hope that European interest can be rekindled, with Hakkaku hoping Shishi, one of this week's Ukrainian wrestlers, will inspire a new generation of wrestlers. With just 600 active sumo wrestlers worldwide, the JSA is keen to spread its net and make the sport more accessible – as evidenced by this London showcase.
As for the crowd, they were entranced from start to finish, with displays of hoisting and dumping sending them into raptures. And though we can't quite pinpoint the winning moves in every bout due to the speed and intricacy of the sport, Hiro Morita's commentary provided an infectious narrative thread throughout the event – capturing the passion and athleticism on display.
While there were whispers of corporate deals being struck in the VIP boxes, it was clear that this sumo tournament was about something more than just commerce. It was about a sacred tradition being shared with new audiences, forging connections between cultures and bringing excitement to an increasingly globalised world.
The event has been years in the making, driven by Hakkaku's personal project to bring sumo back to where he won his famous victory before retirement. The response from Londoners was overwhelming, with all 300 seats at the hall sold out – and at prices that, although steep for some, were a relative bargain compared to witnessing the sport live in Japan.
For fans like Richard Riggs, vice-president of the British Sumo Association, this is more than just an exciting event – it's a chance to experience the sport they've been following online for years. Riggs himself took up sumo during lockdown and was soon competing at amateur world championships; he's now set up his own club in Barnsley.
The event has sparked hope that European interest can be rekindled, with Hakkaku hoping Shishi, one of this week's Ukrainian wrestlers, will inspire a new generation of wrestlers. With just 600 active sumo wrestlers worldwide, the JSA is keen to spread its net and make the sport more accessible – as evidenced by this London showcase.
As for the crowd, they were entranced from start to finish, with displays of hoisting and dumping sending them into raptures. And though we can't quite pinpoint the winning moves in every bout due to the speed and intricacy of the sport, Hiro Morita's commentary provided an infectious narrative thread throughout the event – capturing the passion and athleticism on display.
While there were whispers of corporate deals being struck in the VIP boxes, it was clear that this sumo tournament was about something more than just commerce. It was about a sacred tradition being shared with new audiences, forging connections between cultures and bringing excitement to an increasingly globalised world.
! I mean, it's not every day you get to see this ancient sport in all its glory outside of Japan. The energy at the Royal Albert Hall was electric, and the commentary was top-notch. Hiro Morita did an amazing job of capturing the drama and athleticism of each match.
The fact that they're only 600 wrestlers worldwide means there's room for growth and innovation.
. Anyone got any tips on where to start? 
I mean, who wouldn't want to witness those massive humans crushing each other in the ring? 
. And, gotta say, Hiro Morita's commentary was on point – really brought the drama and passion to life! 
. Seriously though, it was awesome to see a new generation of sumo fans being inspired by the likes of Shishi and it's great to see the JSA trying to make the sport more accessible. The atmosphere at the Royal Albert Hall must've been electric! 
I just hope they don't plan on taking over our parks and whatnot... 
I'm literally speechless! Who would've thought sumo would be the one taking over London's Royal Albert Hall? It's like they brought the whole Japan thing to life right in our backyard 
tho!