The Grand Sumo tournament is coming to London for the second time outside of Japan in its 1,500-year history

London – The world of Professional Sumo wrestling moved outside of Japan for only the second time in its century-long history on Wednesday night, as the fighters collided in a specially constructed ring at the Hollen Albert Hall.

Iconic venue in Britain’s Capital hosts Grand Sumo tournament –The most important 1,500-year-old sports competition – Second, drawing more than 44 Wrestlers, or RIKISHI, to compete in 100 Bouts over five days. The only time the tournament was held outside of Japan was in 1991, when it also arrived at the Royal Albert Hall.

There are unique challenges in bringing Sumo to London, as the modern Japanese sport is based on two types of culture, meets the Shinto movement, and is therefore treated with respect and protection of its finances.

“One of the things we’ve worked hard on is making sure we have a good understanding of the cultural and religious significance of Sumo,” Matthew Todd, Royal Director of the Albert Hall, told CBS News.

He said that attention to detail was ‘really important to the authentic movement we are able to make here. “

That meant transporting 11 tons of clay from Japan to build a ring, or dohyo, in the center of the concert venue, where wrestlers compete. The shipping containers were at sea for three months making the journey. A large group of ring attendants (Yobisdashi), and they had to make this trip from Japan – alongside 11 translators to help them communicate with British workers.

The roof of the DoHyo, is now set up on the roof of the Albert Hall, but it is built with its traditional Japanese appearance, which helps to show that this is a sacred place, “where this part of the competition is held.

It is an important step, he said, to ensure that the Shinto gods are paid the proper tributes before fighting.

Sumo is deeply intertwined with Japanese culture and religion in ways that many Western fans may find difficult to understand. According to legend, it emerged as a tradition to ask the gods to be very fruitful, but it was transformed over 2,000 years into sports that are events today, but also around the world.

Many of the most recent ones have been from Mongolia, and this year’s tournament includes two Rishiki in Ukraine. While Americans have competed successfully in past competitions, there is no US Rishiki at this year’s event in London.

The nuance of the wrestling competition itself can also be difficult to fully understand, with 82 winning strategies called kimirate, many levels and divisions and other rules. So to help translate all of this to an audience in the Western Highlands, it is provided through the Royal Albert Hall, alongside the video return screens to explain and explain at times where the competition is forced.

The destroyers themselves lead a very good life. They were forbidden from driving cars and, contrary to others, eating breakfast, and often needed to take a long nap after their grueling day, to help them pack on the pounds.

The average weight of a Rikishi is about 330 kilograms, but some tip the scales at 550.

They were given a break during their trip to British Mountain to enjoy themselves, however – And editors are likely to see value at some level of society.

In the lead up to the tournament, social media platforms are full of photos and videos of kimono-clad wrestlers being seen around London.

The Albert Hall will be packed again this week with the presence of two Yokozuna, the highest rank of all sumo wrestlers. The name Yokozuna is often translated as a great champion, but it literally translates to “horizontal rope,” referring to the special rope worn by the special ropes that wear their trees.

When Rishiki is promoted to the Yokozuna category, it lasts until retirement. In nearly 400 years of Professional Sumo, only 75 men have achieved Vander Grand Champion status. Fame in general requires not only the technical skills of the successive winners, but the approval of a dedicated Council that judges Rishiki on their fighting skills, but also a range of other human qualities.

The tournament should end on Sunday, when the wrestler with the most victories in the ring will be crowned the year.

The field is considered wide open this year, but many, especially back home in Japan, will be counting on Yokozuna Onasato, the first world champion in almost a decade, to win.