There's Nothing Like Sensing the Historic London Venue Tremble When Rikishi Meet

Few sports can hold spectators spellbound through an extended period of ritual before the opening contest is even contested.

Yet the complex rituals unfolding in a small clay ring - mostly preserved for generations - managed to do just that.

Experience the Major Sumo Competition

This five-day event at the Royal Albert Hall features four dozen top-tier rikishi showcasing a sport whose earliest records dates back to ancient times.

London's renowned auditorium has been totally redesigned, complete with a elaborate suspended canopy hanging above the ring.

Historical Ceremonies Meet Modern Technology

It is here the wrestlers, known as sumo wrestlers, perform their leg stomps to banish evil spirits, and where they applaud to get the attention of the divine beings.

Above all this ancient ceremony, a enormous circular monitor - which wouldn't look out of place at an professional sports event - offers the spectators all the data and video they could want.

Worldwide Followers Find Sumo

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

This was soon supplemented with the discovery of specialized online content for rikishi houses, where athletes reside and practice, waking up early to train, followed by a nutritious chankonabe and then an midday rest - all in the service of increasing mass.

From Edinburgh, Another Perspective

Different enthusiasts discovered sumo through a conventional method: a journey to Asia six years ago.

"We considered it a very touristy activity, but we actually developed passion for the sport," says Julia.

"From there on, we tried to find communities, information, just to deepen our understanding about it," the other fan explains.

Special Event

Visiting the homeland is almost the only way to see a top-flight sumo tournament.

This week's event marks only the second instance the tournament has come to London - the previous visit was in the early nineties.

Even going to Japan isn't certain of getting a seat, with current times seeing completely booked tournaments.

Live Observation

For many attendees, the London tournament represents the premier chance they have seen live sumo - and it doesn't disappoint.

"Seeing it up close, you get a sense of the speed and the force which you can't experience on TV," notes one fan. "Their size is impressive."

The Matches

To succeed, one competitor needs to force his opponent off the clay or to the surface using raw power.

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

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

Premium Seating

The positions right next to the ring are of course greatly valued - but also, a bit risky.

During one particular match, a large wrestler went plummeting into the spectators - perhaps making those in less expensive positions feel relieved.

Behind the Scenes

Of course, the stature of the athletes is one of the initial aspects most people consider when they think of sumo.

The hall's organizers revealed they "needed to find and acquire reinforced furniture which can take up to 200kg in weight."

But sumo - for all its successful competitions - is not without its troubles behind the scenes.

Coming Obstacles

Perhaps the demanding existence of a professional athlete doesn't look as appealing as it once might have.

Its popularity among young Japanese is also being competed with by alternative competitions, while Japan's declining population will create further complications.

Global Community

Not that any of this has worried fans in London.

"Experiencing the tradition and practice that goes with sumo is especially significant," fan Sian says. "Now, seeing it directly, you sense that you are more part of it."

For other dedicated followers, the excitement "produced unforgettable moments" - as did encountering the fellow enthusiasts.

"Emerging from a highly specialized online community and being able to see all these sumo fans directly and being able to chat with other people who are just as into this as we are - it was worth every penny."