There's Nothing Like Experiencing the Royal Albert Hall Vibrate When Rikishi Meet

Few sports can hold spectators spellbound through three-quarters of an hour of ceremony before the initial score is even determined.

Yet the intricate traditions unfolding in a traditional dohyō - mostly preserved for centuries - accomplished exactly that.

Experience the Major Sumo Competition

This five-day event at the historic concert hall features 40 of the very best sumo athletes showcasing a sport whose initial documentation dates back to the first century BC.

London's Victorian concert venue has been utterly transformed, complete with a elaborate suspended canopy hanging above the competition area.

Historical Ceremonies Meet Current Innovations

It is here the athletes, known as sumo wrestlers, perform their leg stomps to banish dark forces, and where they clap to summon the gods.

Above all this historical practice, a giant, revolving LED screen - that appears natural at an professional sports event - offers the spectators all the data and video they could want.

Global Fans Find Sumo

For Sian Spencer, it was a "random video" that first caught her attention a couple of years ago.

This was quickly followed by the discovery of specialized online content for sumo stables, where wrestlers live and train, starting their day early to train, followed by a nutritious chankonabe and then an midday rest - all in the pursuit of increasing mass.

Traveling from the North, Different Experience

Different enthusiasts discovered sumo through a established path: a journey to Asia six years ago.

"We saw it as a common sightseeing event, but we actually came to adore the sport," explains the fan.

"From there on, we tried to locate groups, information, just to expand our knowledge about it," adds Cezar.

Unique Chance

Traveling to Asia 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 securing tickets, with recent years seeing fully attended competitions.

First-Hand Experience

For numerous spectators, the current event represents the initial opportunity they have seen live sumo - and it lives up to the hype.

"Watching nearby, you get a feeling of velocity and the strength which you don't get on TV," says Caspar Eliot. "Their size is impressive."

The Competition

To achieve victory, one wrestler needs to force his opponent out of the ring or to the surface using raw power.

The majority use one of dual approaches to accomplish this, often in split seconds - thrusting, or wrestling.

Either way, the impact of the two rikishi crashing together in the opening second of the match echoes around the auditorium.

Prime Locations

The cushions right next to the competition area are of course extremely sought-after - but also, somewhat dangerous.

During one specific contest, a tall wrestler went plummeting into the crowd - perhaps making those in more affordable locations breathe a sigh of relief.

Internal Challenges

Of course, the size of the athletes is one of the primary elements most people think of when they contemplate wrestling.

The hall's organizers revealed they "were required to locate and purchase additional seating which can support 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its sell-out events - is not without its troubles behind the scenes.

Future Challenges

Perhaps the strict life of a sumo wrestler doesn't look as appealing as it once might have.

Its popularity among the younger generation is also being competed with by alternative competitions, while Japan's decreasing numbers will create further complications.

International Network

Not that any of this has troubled spectators in London.

"Seeing all this tradition and practice that is part of sumo is particularly meaningful," an attendee explains. "Now, seeing it in person, you experience being you are more involved."

For other dedicated followers, the drama "made it so incredible" - as did interacting with the like-minded individuals.

"Getting out of a very niche online community and being able to witness multiple sumo fans in person and being able to converse with other people who are equally passionate as we are - it was absolutely worthwhile."