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Kimura Shonosuke, the head 'gyoji' or sumo referee, leads the Dohyo-Matsuri, ring blessing ceremony, with other gyoji.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Stepping into a world of extraordinary strength, and rich tradition as one of the world’s oldest sports returns to one of London's historic venues, The Royal Albert Hall.

For five days, BBC Sport will be showing live coverage across BBC platforms.

Over 40 of Japan’s elite maku-uchi rikishi (wrestlers) will compete, bringing with them the 1,500-year legacy of Sumo.

The Grand Sumo Tournament returns to London for the first time in 34 years as over 40 of Japan’s elite maku-uchi rikishi (wrestlers) will compete in the event. The Royal Albert Hall takes centre stage in the Sumo world between 15th – 19th October on Red Button, the BBC Sport website and app.

So what is it?

Sumo is the iconic national sport of Japan, but it is also a mix of tradition, discipline and Shinto religious rituals going back more than 1,000 years.

It is a combat sport with two wrestlers – called rikishi – fighting inside a raised circular ring – a dohyo – 4.55m (14.9 ft) large. Rituals and ceremonies are performed before and after each bout, highlighting the traditional nature of the sport.

Traditionally before a match, a hole is made in the centre of the dohyo and filled with nuts, squid, seaweed and sake by Shinto priests.

The hole is closed, enshrining inside a spirit. Sumo wrestlers then perform a ritual stamp and clap to scare away bad spirits.

Professional sumo is ruled by a rigid ranking system, and the wrestlers who participate dedicate their entire lives to it - living and training communally.

Ask Me Anything

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The basic rules of sumo are quite simple. The bout is decided when a rikishi is forced out of the dohyo or touches the floor of the ring with anything other than the sole of his feet. Bouts can be over in a fraction of a second or last over two minutes.

There are two main fighting styles in sumo. Pusher-thrusters tend to shove their opponents out of the ring by force, while belt-fighters prefer to grapple the other rikishi and use judo-like throws.

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High-ranking rikishi often excel in more than one type of combat and are able to adapt to their opponents.

There are 82 winning techniques, ranging from audacious throws to clever side-steps. The variety of techniques and strategies keeps fans fascinated, so surprises and upsets can happen in any bout.

There are no weight classes in sumo, so it is normal to see rikishi with huge size differences. Sumo rankings determine who is fighting who, rather than physical attributes.

While women can and do compete in amateur sumo wrestling around the world, they cannot enter the ring at Tokyo's 11,000 Ryogoku Kokugikan arena, or compete in professional tournaments.