5-Day London Grand Sumo Tournament Kicks Off

London, Oct. 15 (Jiji Press)–A five-day grand sumo tournament in London kicked off Wednesday at the Royal Albert Hall in the center of the British capital. Some 5,400 spectators gathered at the prestigious concert hall to watch bouts of wrestlers in the makuuchi top division of Japanese professional sumo, including yokozuna grand champion Onosato, who wrapped up the day by defeating Ura with “uwatenage,” or overarm throw. “It was very exciting,” Onosato said of the mood in the fully packed venue. “I hope (sumo) will become more popular, and many people will go to Ryogoku (Kokugikan)” to watch sumo, he said, referring to the major arena in Tokyo, where three of the six 15-day annual grand professional sumo tournaments are held. It is the first overseas sumo tournament held at the invitation of a host country since the 2005 event in Las Vegas, and the second in London after wrestlers took to the ring in the city for the first time in 1991. At the opening ceremony, Japan Sumo Association head Hakkaku, who participated in the 1991 event as then yokozuna Hokutoumi, expressed gratitude for being able to hold the second London tournament, asking the spectators to pay attention to the traditional culture of sumo. Before Wednesday’s bouts, the outline of professional sumo was explained in English, and Onosato demonstrated wearing a “tsuna” belt for yokozuna. The London tournament victor will be determined based on the results of matches over the five days. “I hope people in Britain will understand what grand sumo truly is,” yokozuna Hoshoryu said. Earlier Wednesday, Hoshoryu held a press conference and called on people to come watch the tournament. The press conference at Japan House London, which promotes Japanese culture, was also attended by Japanese entertainment company Sanrio Co.’s globally popular character Hello Kitty. The character, the ambassador for the London tournament, presented the yokozuna with a special “daruma” traditional Japanese doll to wish for the event’s success. Hello Kitty is set to visit hospitals and charity groups during the five-day tournament period to interact with and deliver smiles to children. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]