It's Unforgettable Experiencing the Royal Albert Hall Shake When Sumo Athletes Collide

Only a handful of competitions can hold spectators spellbound through three-quarters of an hour of ritual before the initial score is even contested.

Yet the complex rituals unfolding in a compact earthen circle - largely unaltered for generations - managed to do just that.

Experience the Grand Sumo Tournament

This five-day event at the Royal Albert Hall features numerous elite rikishi showcasing a sport whose initial documentation dates back to 23BC.

London's historic performance space has been completely reimagined, complete with a elaborate suspended canopy hanging above the competition area.

Time-Honored Rituals Meet Modern Technology

It is here the wrestlers, known as sumo wrestlers, perform their shiko exercises to expel dark forces, and where they applaud to attract the gods.

Above all this traditional ritual, a enormous circular monitor - that appears natural at an NBA match - offers the audience all the statistics and footage they could want.

Global Fans Find Sumo

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

This was rapidly enhanced by the discovery of focused video platforms for training facilities, where athletes reside and practice, waking up early to practice, followed by a nutritious chankonabe and then an afternoon nap - all in the effort toward increasing mass.

Hailing from Scotland, Different Experience

Another couple discovered sumo through a established path: a journey to Asia six years ago.

"We approached it as a typical visitor experience, but we actually developed passion for the sport," explains the fan.

"After that, we tried to find communities, information, just to learn more about it," adds Cezar.

Rare Opportunity

Going to Japan is almost the only way to see a major championship.

This week's event marks only the second occasion the tournament has come to London - the first time was in over three decades ago.

Even traveling to Asia isn't a guarantee of obtaining admission, with the past period seeing completely booked tournaments.

First-Hand Experience

For numerous spectators, the UK competition represents the initial opportunity they have experienced the sport directly - and it lives up to the hype.

"Seeing it up close, you get a feeling of velocity and the power which you can't experience on TV," explains an attendee. "Their size is impressive."

The Bouts

To achieve victory, one wrestler needs to push another out of the ring or to the ground using raw power.

The most use one of pair of techniques to achieve this, often in instantaneous actions - thrusting, or clenching.

Either way, the sound of the two rikishi colliding in the first moment of the match echoes around the hall.

Prime Locations

The positions right next to the dohyō are of course highly prized - but also, potentially hazardous.

During one recent bout, a 191cm wrestler went plummeting into the spectators - perhaps making those in less expensive positions breathe a sigh of relief.

Behind the Scenes

Of course, the size of the wrestlers is one of the primary elements most people think of when they think of sumo.

The facility's operators revealed they "needed to find and buy new chairs which can take up to 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 attractive as it once might have.

Its appeal among youth in Japan is also being threatened by other sports, while Japan's falling birthrate will create further complications.

Global Community

Not that any of this has concerned enthusiasts in London.

"Seeing all this custom and formality that goes with sumo is particularly meaningful," fan Sian says. "Now, seeing it live, you feel like you are more engaged."

For other committed supporters, the drama "created amazing experiences" - as did encountering the other fans.

"Getting out of a highly specialized online community and being able to witness multiple sumo fans live and being able to speak to other people who are similarly enthusiastic as we are - it was completely valuable."